Tesco loses Great Homer legal challenge
A legal challenge by Tesco into a planning rejection in Liverpool which St Modwen and Liverpool City Council say is delaying a £150m regeneration scheme has been thrown out at Manchester High Court.
The Project Jennifer scheme aims to deliver new homes, community facilities, a major new supermarket, new shops, and significant public realm improvements to the Great Homer Street area, in north Liverpool.
It had met with delay following the rejection of a rival planning application for a stand-alone Tesco food-store by a government planning inspector at the end of last year. The supermarket operator then launched a legal challenge, arguing that the inspector's decision was wrong on a point of law.
Michelle Taylor, regional director at St Modwen, said: "This is great news for the Project Jennifer scheme and we welcome the Court's favourable decision.
"It has been a frustrating time for all involved. We can now look forward to delivering this transformational scheme for north Liverpool, bringing forward the development which the community has fully supported throughout this long process."
Cllr Malcolm Kennedy, city council cabinet member for regeneration, said: "This is a decision which will be warmly welcomed by the local community. Great Homer Street is an area which needs a comprehensive regeneration project and not just a stand-alone supermarket. The legal challenge has delayed Project Jennifer and caused a lot of frustration but now I would hope that it can go ahead as quickly as is practical and make a real difference to north Liverpool."
Good news about Tesco! Lets just hope that these regen people realise that Greatie Market is a cracking little place and dont destroy it! Its been there years and if it aint broke dont try and fix it!
By Secret Squirrel
Couldn’t agree more with Secret Squirrel. The last thing we want is Tesco taking over the area. In fact, Tesco is now so big they should be stopped from opening any new shops anywhere.
By Paul