The High Court today has given the green light for a proposed PFI development of Queen Elizabeth Hospital, London SE18.
The project had been under threat while Greenwich Healthcare NHS Trust sought to satisfy their PFI partners that access to the site would not be hindered by any dispute over rights of way.
The development proposals require the realignment of Baker Road in Woolwich. The London & Quadrant Housing Trust and six other companies and individuals who occupy the land have rights of way over the road.
Mr Justice Lightman granted declarations to the NHS Trust entitling it to proceed regardless of the rights of way covenants.
He said the matter was one of extreme urgency because the finance for the scheme would only be available if the court’s clearance was obtained by 27 May.
An eighth company, Annington Property, has the benefit of a covenant preventing use of the land earmarked for the road re-alignment for anything but car parking. Annington has already indicated that it is happy for the covenant to be varied to enable the hospital scheme to go ahead.
Catherine Usher, head of property at Dibb Lupton Alsop, who acted for the NHS Trust, told EGi: “This is not just good news for the PFI deal but is a victory for common sense. The real beneficiaries are the residents of Greenwich.”
And Greenwich NHS Trust chief executive David Astley said he was absolutely delighted with the result: “It is a further step towards a new hospital for our community.”
EGi News 26/05/98
