A hearing to determine the future of St George’s Imperial Wharf development scheme has commenced in London’s High Court.
Sonia Burkett is asking Newman J to quash a decision by Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council to grant outline planning permission for the massive development of the former British Gas site, which will involve a number of buildings up to 22 storeys high.
Although permission was granted for the scheme back in May 2000, the full court hearing has only just begun after Mrs Burkett, of 139 Townmead Road, Fulham, and her late husband, Robert, were granted permission to bring the challenge by the House of Lords last year. Unfortunately, Mr Burkett, who was a chronic diabetic and who also suffered from a liver complaint, died before the challenge could be brought.
Now Mrs Burkett, who has recently been diagnosed as suffering from bladder cancer, is continuing the proceedings on her own. She claims that excavation work for the development will disturb contaminated ground on the site, which will exacerbate the ill health of her asthmatic daughter. Mrs Burkett and her daughter liver in a ground-floor maisonette next to the site.
Mrs Burkett alleges that an environmental statement carried out prior to the grant of planning permission was inadequate in many respects, including failing to properly analyse the possible effect of dust generated by the development.
R (on the application of Burkett) v Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council Queen’s Bench Division (Newman J) 25 March 2003.
References: PLS News 25/3/03