THE ONGOING SAGA OF PEELS HOLDINGS RELENTLESS ATTEMPTS TO BUILD HOUSES AT BROADOAK RUMBLES ON

Despite being told multiple times by Salford City Council, the Government and even the High Courts, it would seem the message of NO means NO has not been absorbed by a Peel Holdings which seems determined on a path of what many see as a blatant disregard of community opinion, council rulings and even court rulings.

At a staggering cost to the city of already over £402 thousand pounds in legal fees, countless hours in staff time and resources, The 'Battle for Broadoak' has already diverted money from the cities coffers to fight what seems like a never ending series of legal challenges from Peel.

In August last year (2019), despite claims of legal errors made in the previous ruling, the High Courts once again ruled against the companies plans for the area, upholding the decisions of both the council and two separate home secretaries but it seems that despite all of that Peel is still pushing to get its way.

In an open letter posted last year which was aimed at John Whittaker (Chairman of Peel Holdings), Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett encouraged Peel to reconsider its application, citing the huge opposition from not only local residents but also the cross-party support against the development from the Council, sadly that seems to have fallen on deaf ears. 

Paul said,

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"The Council has now won three appeals including two public inquiries to protect the site from development, incurring legal costs of over £400,000 to the local ratepayers. 

"The Council will once again defend our policy to preserve this vital green space."

 

Local councillor and chair of the Residents Against Inappropriate Developments (RAID) has revealed that once more the company is set to appeal in a bid to overturn two costly and time consuming public enquiries and the previous decisions of the courts.

Councillor Garrido posted the news via social media, saying:

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"Regretfully I have to advise you that Peel Investments (North) Limited have been granted leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal, Civil Division against the decision made by the High Court against Peel.

"We do not have full details yet but the question which The Rt Hon Lord Justice Lewison has said needs to be settled is whether a plan (local plan) is "out of date" for the purposes of the National Planning Policy Framework and whether the tilted balance is an important point which ought to be settled by the (Appeal) court.

"Salford are awaiting advice from their QC as to what the strength of this argument may be and I will let you know as soon as I have further information.

"The judge refers to a previous case where comments regarding a similar issue were made although it is not known at this stage whether it influenced that particular decision.

"This appeal is on a technicality, it is not a rehearing of the whole application.

"I am told that the court hearing could be as early as the spring or by an unconnected source I am told that it can sometimes be up to twelve months. I will of course keep you all informed."

 

For those who thought the epic battle was over, it seems they are sadly mistaken. The seven year battle to stop Peel looks set to rumble on.