Court of Appeal to Hear Case on Lack of Reasons for Refusal to Call-In Scheme in July 2018

The Court of Appeal will hear Save Britain’s Heritage’s challenge over the refusal of then Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid, to give reasons for not calling in the Paddington Cube scheme, on 19 July 2018.

The campaign group said: “Our legal action is focused on the government’s failure to follow published policy announced in Parliament that reasons would be given for decisions not to call in major planning decisions for public inquiry. We believe this case goes to the heart of open and accountable decision making and needs robust scrutiny.”

In granting Save Britain’s Heritage leave to bring proceedings to the Court of Appeal in March, Lord Justice Lewison is reported to have said: “The question whether the Secretary of State may adopt a policy which does not conform with his published policy is an important one, and this ground of appeal has a real prospect of success.”

However, the Court of Appeal refused to grant the group permission to continue with its challenge to Westminster City Council’s decision to grant planning permission for the Paddington Cube, which is now marketed as Paddington Square.