5 Dec 2006 - Residents to get legal advice over decision on St Andrew's old hall site
Local residents are seeking legal advice in an attempt to overturn the controversial decision to allow flats to be built where the old hall of St Andrew's church stood.At a public meeting organised by FORA on 29 November, they agreed to consult lawyers over a possible case for judicial review on the way an application to build nine flats on the site was granted.
The council's Planning committee approved the application earlier in November -- by 5 votes to 4 -- despite what its case officer called "considerable local opposition."
It was the latest in a series of disputed planning applications in the area which have led to protests from numbers of residents.
About 60 people attended the public meeting. Speakers voiced their dismay at the Planning Committee decision, their discontent at the background to the application and the way it had been handled. FORA's Chair, Peter Leighton, a barrister, undertook to arrange the legal consultation.
All local councillors were invited to the meeting. Only Lib Dem councillors chose to attend. Among them was the Mayor, Farooq Qureshi, who had publicly opposed the application. He expressed his continued support for residents in the action they wanted to take.
The decision to grant the development was subject to a survey on whether it will have an adverse impact on bats -- a protected species -- which may roost in the Grade II listed church. The survey is to be carried out by the developer, apparently in the Spring.
However, the meeting also decided that residents would investigate carrying out their own, independent bat survey.
All local councillors were invited to the meeting. Only Lib Dem councillors chose to attend. Among them was the Mayor, Farooq Qureshi, who had publicly opposed the application. He expressed his continued support for residents in the action they wanted to take.
The decision to grant the development was subject to a survey on whether it will have an adverse impact on bats -- a protected species -- which may roost in the Grade II listed church. The survey is to be carried out by the developer, apparently in the Spring.
However, the meeting also decided that residents would investigate carrying out their own, independent bat survey.