Court of Appeal: Luton BC v Central Bedfordshire & Ors

Luton Borough Council, R (on the application of) v Central Bedfordshire Council & Ors [2015] EWCA Civ 537

This was an appeal in relation to a judgment of Holgate J – [2014] EWHC 4325 (Admin) – in which he refused an application by Luton BC (the appellant) for judicial review of a grant of planning permission by Central Bedfordshire Council (the respondent).

The planning permission was formally granted by Central Bedfordshire on 2 June 2014, pursuant to a decision made by its planning committee at a meeting on 4 September 2013. The permission was for outline planning permission for a major development on 262 ha of open fields immediately to the north of the Luton/Dunstable/Houghton Regis conurbation.

For the appellant: Peter Village QC & Andrew Tabachnik of 39 Essex Chambers, instructed by Winckworth Sherwood LLP.

For the respondent: Saira Kabir Sheikh QC of Francis Taylor Building, instructed by Central Bedfordshire Council.

For the interested parties: Martin Kingston QC & Hugh Richards of No. 5 Chambers, instructed by King & Wood Mallesons LLP.

Click here for the judgment on Bailii

See also: Court of Appeal gives reasons in Luton v Central Bedfordshire planning dispute