The High Court has blocked Powergen’s plan for a Morrison’s supermarket at Freeman’s Wharf, Leicester.
A top judge ruled on Friday that Leicester city council acted lawfully when it refused consent for the 7,430 sq m (80,000 sq ft) out-of-town foodstore.
Powergen wants to build a supermarket, offices, car parking and leisure facilities on the site of the former Raw Dykes Road power station.
The company has already demolished the power station, carried out on-site decontamination work and paid £5.7 million to the council by way of licence fees.
Initially outline consent was granted in January 1995. The 14.57ha site had been identified by the council as a focus for regeneration and at the time represented 20% of the derelict land in Leicester.
Powergen claimed that the council went back on its original consent because of changed attitudes to out-town-development.
But Justice Dyson said Powergens evidence was “less than satisfactory.”
EGi News 01/11/99
