Local resident George Turner has been granted permission to appeal against the High Court’s rejection of his legal challenge to the £1.2bn Shell Centre, SE1, redevelopment.
Turner had his judicial review of communities secretary Eric Pickles’ decision to clear the mixed-use project rejected by the High Court in February.
The South Bank project is being developed by Braeburn Estates – a joint venture between Canary Wharf Group and Qatari Diar.
The Court of Appeal decision to approve the challenge will spell further delays for the project, which includes 800,000 sq ft of office space and 790 homes.
The developers said: “We are very disappointed that there is to be a further appeal against our proposed redevelopment of the Shell Centre. It has already been through an exhaustive planning process which included a year-long public consultation, followed by approval from Lambeth council, the mayor of London and the secretary of state for communities and local government. A previous High Court challenge against the secretary of state’s decision has already been dismissed.
“The redevelopment of the Shell Centre site will bring many benefits and regeneration to this important part of London and this latest appeal will delay them further. These include considerable improvements to public spaces in and around the site, the creation of new affordable housing, the provision of new retail outlets on the site, and the creation of thousands of new jobs.”
The court has set 19 and 20 May as provisional dates for the hearing.
Turner said: “I am very pleased that the Court of Appeal has accepted my case, in doing so they have accepted that the case raises important issues and has a real prospect of success.
“As was acknowledged by the High Court, there were serious failings in the public inquiry which led to the decision to approve the development.
“It is, of course, important that decisions which fundamentally change the character and fabric of our city are properly made, and that departures from the development plan are reasoned and supported by credible evidence.”
