Derwent Holdings has failed in its high court legal challenge to block a £47m redevelopment of Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester.
Derwent, which owns nearby White City retail park, sought a judicial review of the planning permission given to Ask Developments, Tesco and Lancashire County Cricket Club.
The plans, which include two grandstands as well as a 100,000 sq ft Tesco, aim to re-establish the ground as an Ashes venue after Old Trafford missed out in the most recent home series against Australia in 2009.
Derwent claims the local council favoured a Tesco superstore over its own store plans because Tesco was contributing around £21m to the stadium redevelopment.
Matt Colledge, leader of Trafford council, said: “At each stage of this process the decision making of this council as local planning authority has been subject to intense scrutiny, and at each stage our committee’s decision has been approved.
“We presented a robust case to the high court as we were clear that we had followed the correct procedure at every stage. By dismissing this action the court has paved the way for these ambitious regeneration plans to finally come to life.
“This decision helps support the future of Lancashire County Cricket Club in enabling them to bring their ground up to Test Match standards and therefore giving them a fighting chance of securing the Ashes in 2013. This will not only benefit this borough in terms of our tourism economy, but will ensure there are first-class sporting facilities for future generations.”
Jim Cumbes, chief executive of Lancashire County Cricket Club and spokesperson for the Old Trafford Partnership, said: “This development has undergone every kind of scrutiny and delay possible and we have successfully cleared every hurdle put in front of us. We can now turn our attention to the work that needs doing to enable us to submit our bid for an Ashes Test Match in 2013.”
Nick.whitten@estatesgazette.com
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