Council nets permission for High Court challenge to decision by inspector over Local Plan and duty to cooperate

The High Court has granted Sevenoaks District Council permission to bring judicial review proceedings on all grounds over a decision of the planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State to examine the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

The Inspector, Karen L Baker, had decided that the council failed to comply with the duty to cooperate in preparing the draft Local Plan.

Saira Kabir Sheikh QC and Charles Merrett of Francis Taylor Building are acting on behalf of Sevenoaks District Council, instructed by William Rose of Sharpe Pritchard.

FTB said: “The grounds of challenge raise important issues in respect of the duty to co-operate and the proper approach that the decision maker is required to take.”