A High Court judge has given developer Arab Investments approval to complete demolition works at the
Last Friday, Akenhead J in
Hiscox, whose headquarters are adjacent to the site of the 950,000 sq ft Kohn Pedersen Fox-designed tower, obtained the original injunction to restrain the developer from causing a nuisance by exceeding previously agreed vibration levels at the site and obstructing access to its building.
The variation allows the developer to re-route access to parts of the insurer’s premises temporarily while the final stages of demolition are carried out.
The central proposal approved by the court enables Hiscox staff to gain access to the company’s car park by way of a purpose-built cocoon structure running through the Pinnacle development.
Akenhead J found that the proposals were reasonable and appropriate and provided Hiscox with a suitable means of access.
Following the variation, Khalid Affara, managing director of Arab Investments, said: “We were disappointed that Hiscox forced us to go to court in order to be able to proceed with the demolition works but are pleased that the court agreed that our proposals were reasonable. We can now look forward to completing the last stages of the demolition works and moving into the very exciting stage of construction.”
John Bramhall, a partner at Davies Arnold Cooper, which represented the developer, said: “This is an important decision for developers of major projects such as the Pinnacle. It shows that the courts will adopt a pragmatic approach that properly recognises the rights of developers to proceed with well-planned major projects, such as the Pinnacle.”