Gubay challenges Old Trafford decision

Kwik Save tycoon Albert Gubay has called for a judicial review into the decision to grant planning consent for the redevelopment of Lancashire County Cricket Ground.

Trafford Council's decision to give permission for the scheme was rubber-stamped by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles in September for the club and partners, Ask Developments and Tesco, to build new stands, pitches, media facilities as well as a controversial 100,000 sq ft supermarket which faced opposition from some residents. Gubay's Derwent Holdings owns the nearby White City shopping park and claims the new Tesco is too large for the area.

Alan Burke, director of Ask Developments, said: "The claims made by Derwent Holdings are nonsensical. They have tried every available means to kill our plans and this is a desperate last gasp tactic. We find their significant delay in seeking a Judicial Review telling, revealing their true intent to de-rail our proposals rather than pursue a genuine grievance. They are notorious for having a track record for this type of aggressive legal action."

Burke add: "Derwent know we are facing a demanding timetable for delivery [LCCC aims to bring the Ashes back to Old Trafford in 2013] and their tactics are designed to have the maximum possible disruption to our programme and delivery of our funding package. They hope we will fail so they can progress their own commercial agenda."