Peel loses Whitebirk expansion bid
THE PEEL Group has lost its High Court bid to overturn selling restrictions at Whitebirk Retail Park near Blackburn.
Peel wants to redevelop the park with new food and clothing stores but restrictions prevent general retail and only allow bulky goods to be sold, such as furniture.
The Manchester-based group is now considering whether to appeal yesterday’s decision.
In April its application for lawful development certificates (LDCs) seeking a change of use to general, or A1 retail, at some units was rejected by Hyndburn Council on the grounds that expansion could harm businesses in Accrington and Blackburn.
Peel had argued that the granting of a string of previous permissions to alter the buildings meant they now had a new planning history and the original restrictions no longer applied. Hyndburn’s original decision was upheld by a government planning inspector which prompted Peel’s High Court move.
In a statement a Peel spokesman said: “We are particularly disappointed for the local community who, despite the resistance of the two neighbouring local authorities and a commercial objector who lined up against the proposals, have consistently and overwhelmingly supported our plans to modernise Whitebirk.”
It added: “We have been given permission by the court to appeal the decision and will of course be reviewing the case in more detail with our legal team.”
Blackburn MP Jack Straw has accused the company of bullying Hyndburn Council and seeking to exploit legal loopholes to get its own way. But Peel says it wants to invest £16m and create 250 jobs.
