Squire Sanders fights off legal challenge against major housebuilding scheme

A PLANNING team from the Birmingham office of law firm Squire Sanders has acted for Bloor Homes and Hallam Land Management in overturning a legal challenge relating to planning permission for an 800-home development.

The development, worth £200m, is at Shottery, near Stratford-upon-Avon.

Stratford-upon-Avon District Council had initially refused to grant planning permission for the proposals made by Bloor Homes and Hallam Land Management in 2011. 

Bloor Homes appealed the decision and a government planning inspector held a Public Inquiry early in 2012, which resulted in the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government upholding Bloor’s appeal and granting planning permission for the Shottery development.

Despite this decision, Stratford-upon-Avon District Council launched a legal challenge, which was heard at Birmingham High Court by Mr Justice Hickinbottom, who rejected the council’s appeal.

Martin Walker from the planning team at Squire Sanders said: “Shottery is a major site of strategic importance to our clients and we are pleased to have brought such a significant piece of litigation to a successful conclusion.” 

Walker was supported by planning solicitor Sophie Taylor.