High Court throws out judicial review action over Eastleigh's £32m hotel investment

Eastleigh Borough Council looks to have successfully fended off a judicial review action over its investment in a multi-million pound scheme involving the Rose Bowl cricket ground.

A group of three hotel chains had challenged the council’s planned £32m investment in the scheme, which included purchasing land and investing in the building of a 175-bedroom hotel on the site.

The group reportedly questioned the legality of the investment on the grounds that the council’s decision-making had been rushed.

However, a High Court judge ruled that the claimant “had no realistic prospect of success”.

In a statement the council said it would work with the Rose Bowl to progress the outstanding legal and financial issues to enable the development to proceed.

The delay does mean, however, that the hotel development side of the scheme will not be completed before the inaugural Rose Bowl Test Match against Sri Lanka in 2011.

Keith House, leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, said: “We’ve never wanted to be in conflict with the local hoteliers and we are aware of their concerns. Our aim will be to work with them in order that they may also profit from the economic benefits this development will bring.”