Newport council has been forced to push back its search for a partner to bring forward the redevelopment of the city centre.
The delay comes after a legal battle with frozen-food retailer Iceland was moved from London to Cardiff.
Iceland launched a judicial review challenge of the council’s compulsory purchase of properties in John Frost Square, where it has a store, in March. It claims that the CPO, granted in 2006, is no longer valid.
Relocation of the case from London to Cardiff has meant that it will now not be heard until after 10 August.
Councillor Matthew Evans, leader of the city council, said: “We are extremely disappointed and angered that lodging the application in London has led to this long delay.
“We had hoped to have a developer on board by the end of the year, but unfortunately the legal action is causing an unwelcome change to this timescale. We will be strenuously defending our position which we believe is in the best interests of the city and its residents.”
Newport council launched a search for a new development partner for the £230m Friars Walk project last August after the collapse of Manchester-based Modus Ventures in June 2009.
Focus, page 55
Timeline
2005 Modus selected preferred developer for 475,000 sq ft project
2006 CPO confirmed
2008 Work on site due to begin
2009 Modus collapses in June, and in August Newport relaunches developer search
2010 Iceland poses judicial review threat in March; hearing moved from London to Cardiff and developer selection delayed
