High Court gives green light to challenge to cruise liner terminal approval

The High Court has given permission for a judicial review challenge to the Royal Borough of Greenwich's decision to give planning approval to a riverside development that includes a passenger cruise liner terminal.

The campaigners behind the challenge to the approval for the terminal at Enderby Wharf in East Greenwich have crowd funded the proceedings, so far raising £14,437 of their stretch goal of £16,000.

Advised by Richard Buxton Environmental & Public Law Solicitors, they claim that there was inadequate assessment of the air pollution arising from the ships and associated development.

Responding to the High Court’s decision, Greenwich said: “The Royal Borough is fully committed to improving air quality in the borough and before approving the cruise liner terminal commissioned independent consultants to carry out detailed air dispersion modelling.

“The council considers that the air quality assessments were robust and suitable and sufficient to inform the planning decision. Our air quality measures were subjected to independent scrutiny by the Mayor of London before he gave final approval to the scheme.”

It added: “The council is therefore disappointed at [this] decision, which will create delays to the project and delays to the benefits that it offers both for Greenwich and the capital, through new homes, jobs, retail space, improved public realm and a new skills centre. Above all, the scheme offers an important boost for tourism, which is one of the largest sectors in the local economy.”