Alnwick District Council today decided to abandon an application to the Court of Appeal after failing in a High Court attempt to overturn John Prescott’s planning decision against a 4.86ha (12 acre) retail development at the edge of the town.
They now face a battle with the government over a £4.6m-plus compensation claim brought by supermarket chain Safeway. The council claim that the town will be bankrupted if it has to meet the cost of the claim by itself.
Councillor Bolam said today: “As this is a substantial claim and a direct result of government intervention, the council will be pressing the Secretary of State for financial assistance to meet it. We will be putting a robust case, and are firmly of the view that the cost should not be met by the taxpayer.”
The council decided not to take the case to the Court of Appeal following legal advice that their application would fail.
They granted planning permission for the out-of-town shopping centre in 1993. If they cannot agree compensation with Safeway, the case will go to the Lands Tribunal.
PLS News 8/9/99
