EDGBASTON PLAN FACES JUDICIAL REVIEW

29-10-2009

Birmingham Council’s controversial £20million loan to Warwickshire Cricket Club is due to be rushed through at Monday’s Cabinet meeting – but residents are warning that they’re about to issue Judicial Review proceedings about the redevlopment of the ground.

Although discussion of the loan doesn’t feature in the Cabinet agenda it’s expected to be featured under “Urgent Business” – prompting fears that the Council leadership is shying away from open discussion of the subject.

Warwickshire are planning to expand capacity by 4,000 and install permanent floodlights - changes which they argue are essential to keep Test cricket in Birmingham.

Leo Nation, Chair of the Canon Hill Neighbourhood Forum which represents people living close to the ground commented: “With so many council services under financial threat, this loan seems to be excessive and unnecessary to secure Test status for WCCC.”

In a letter to Council leader Mike Whitby, Nation complains that requests for a meeting have been snubbed, and says: “While we are fully aware of your busy schedule, we have been very disappointed not to have received any response to our requests.

“As you and other members of the Council have met with WCCC on a number of occasions, we believe that in the interests of natural justice we should be afforded the opportunity to express our concerns and offer possible solutions to this most contentious of proposals.”

He adds that the cricket club, “has not engaged in any meaningful discussion with local residents.”

The Neighbourhood Forum has instructed Public Law Solicitors to seek a Judicial Review into the Council's approval for the ground on the basis that the process was flawed – even though it has since been backed by a government inspector.

They cite the absence of an Environmental Impact Assessment and the disturbance to neighbouring properties caused by the floodlights.

To see Leo Nation’s letter to Mike Whitby click here

To see the solicitor’s letter raising objections to the application, click here

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