Granada Hospitality Ltd has failed in a High Court bid to secure planning permission for an extension to its Travelodge at Heston Service Area on the M4 to the west of London.
Collins J backed the decision of a DoE Inspector in January this year refusing permission for a 20-bedroom extension on the westbound side and an additional 35 bedrooms on the eastbound side. The inspectors decision was based on a finding that there was no evidence of an abnormally high incidence of driver fatigue on this section of the M4 sufficient to warrant particular provision of overnight accommodation.
On appeal, counsel for Granada, John Pugh-Smith, argued that a requirement to provide such evidence introduced a new test for additional Travelodge provision.
Dismissing the challenge, however, Collins J said that there was no new test, and that the inspector had simply dealt with the points raised and responded to them.
Finding that there was convincing evidence of demand over capacity in the area, the judge nevertheless ruled that that demand could be met in the future by existing providers. He also held that the extensions would be inappropriate development in the green belt.
Granada Hospitality Ltd v Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions and another Queens Bench Division: Crown Office List (Collins J) 21 June 2000
John Pugh-Smith (instructed by Dibb Lupton Alsop) appeared for the claimant; Timothy Mould (instructed by the Treasury Solicitor) appeared for the defendant.
- PLS News 23/6/00
