Disappointment at Summer Row legal challenge

Released: 28 March 2008

Wolverhampton’s proposed £300 million Summer Row regeneration scheme is facing a legal challenge.

In a statement the city council has expressed its disappointment at the news – particularly as the challenge includes nothing new and the arguments have already been defeated at a public inquiry. 

London and Cambridge Properties, leaseholder of the Wulfrun Shopping Centre, have applied to the High Court challenging the legality of the compulsory purchase order, confirmed in February, which will allow 72,000 square metres of land within the city centre to be transformed.

Summer Row would revolutionise shopping in the city with the creation of an 86-unit shopping centre, anchored by a new Debenhams department store, as well as providing leisure facilities, homes and an underground car park.

Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, gave the council the go-ahead to proceed with the compulsory purchase order following a lengthy public inquiry where an independent inspector heard a wide range of evidence.

The council and its development partner Multi Development UK have long stated that the creation of Summer Row is key to the ongoing regeneration of Wolverhampton and the future prosperity of the city.

Construction work on Summer Row was due to begin later this year. However the legal challenge from London and Cambridge Properties now threatens to delay the regeneration of the city centre by many months.

In a statement Wolverhampton City Council said: “We are extremely disappointed and frustrated that LCP is holding up the regeneration of Wolverhampton. Their case is not new and has already been defeated at last year’s public inquiry. This could well end up wasting an awful lot of time and money.

“We are confident that the challenge from LCP against the Secretary of State will be unsuccessful. The confirmation of this order by the Secretary of State is the result of years of painstaking work by many stakeholders.

“If LCP pursue their challenge to court, then we are looking at a lengthy legal process that will take many months to be concluded. The actions of LCP will undoubtedly increase the worry and uncertainty for everyone affected by the CPO. However, the council will continue to work with everyone affected and ensure they are kept informed of developments.”

Mark Rebbeck, Multi Development UK Limited’s development manager for the Summer Row scheme, said: “Multi acknowledge the challenge made by LCP to their £300 million regeneration scheme for the city of Wolverhampton. We respect the legal process and look forward to a speedy and satisfactory outcome to this challenge enabling us hopefully to commence construction of the scheme in the summer as planned. This will in turn provide Wolverhampton with the long-awaited regeneration of this part of the city as soon as possible.”

Issued by the press office.