Mary Reid

Yesterday afternoon a member of the Council's legal team travelled up to the High Court to issue the challenge to the Planning Inspector's decision on 28-32 Somerset Ave (follow the link in this entry to track back and read the full story)

About 60 people from the Somerset Ave area turned up at Neighbourhood yesterday evening, anxious that this should happen, and they all applauded when we were able to announce that proceeedings had started.

This is a really significant step in the campaign by the local people to stop this development. Colin Sparks has been taking the lead on this, with a small team drawn from his neighbours, and with fantastic support from people living in Somerset Ave, Selwood Road and Vallis Way.

I'm delighted, relieved and excited - this is real local democracy in action.

Interestingly, it is, we think, the first time that the Council has challenged an appeal decision.

The Head of Legal Services, Nick Bishop, had to be convinced that there was a credible case - because, quite rightly, he has to ensure that public money is not being wasted. He asked a barrister for an opinion last week, but that was not very helpful.

He then asked Colin Sparks and his team to provide additional evidence based on their experience of the appeal hearing, and took further advice, based on their material. The outcome was that there are at least two grounds for appeal - one around the traffic and safety issues, the other around the procedures used at the appeal hearing - and there may be others.

Just to explain - this is a challenge to the Planning Inspector, not to the developer. If the Council wins, then there will be another appeal hearing with a different Inspector.

In the meantime, the development is put on hold.