Local protesters are launching a last-ditch attempt to halt the £90m redevelopment of Hereford’s former livestock market.
They have approached a number of law firms, including Nabarro, to assess the case for a challenge against Stanhope’s and British Land’s 310,000 sq ft Old Market scheme.
The challenge is expected to focus on whether competition rules have been breached when a number of “minor changes” were made to the scheme after Stanhope was selected as preferred developer in 2008.
These included allowing a reduction in the level of prelets required for the scheme from 50% to 40%.
The protesters are also understood to be contesting the council’s agreement to waive £500,000 it would have received from the development deal.
One businessman said: “It is a very toxic deal. It is not about British Land or Stanhope – they are there to do a scheme and make a profit. It is about a local authority that has ignored a 10,000-signature petition.”
Site preparation work began last month for the project, which was first proposed in 2006.
Stanhope director Gary Bourne said: “Since our appointment in 2007 we have fully complied with the procurement process and worked hard to ensure the retail scheme is of the right size to complement Hereford’s existing retail provision.
“We have listened to Herefordians and have downsized the scheme and brought it closer to the city centre to ensure its deliverability and suitability.”
The development has been subject to long-term opposition. In 2009, it provoked a protest march, a 10,000-signature petition and formation of campaign group It’s Our County.
The scheme’s plans include an 85,000 sq ft Debenhams, a 25,000 sq ft Waitrose, and a six-screen Odeon.
