Legal briefs: Heathrow’s third runway gets Supreme Court go-ahead; Bellway hit with £600,000 fine over bats blunder

Heathrow’s third runway gets Supreme Court go-ahead

The Supreme Court has overturned a Court of Appeal ruling that the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) was unlawful, meaning that a development consent order (DCO) can now be sought for a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

The Planner

Bellway hit with £600,000 fine over bats blunder

Major housebuilder Bellway Homes has been ordered to pay £600,000 – thought to be the largest fine issued by a court in relation to a wildlife crime – after damage to a site used by bats in south-east London, following action by Greenwich Council officials and the Metropolitan Police’s Wildlife Crime Unit.

Local Government Lawyer

Judges considers 18th century legislation in bridleway row

A High Court judge has had to consult legislation dating back to the 18th century in a dispute over a route in Somerset and whether it was legally classed as a footpath or a bridleway.

Local Government Lawyer

Drogheda housing permission overturned

An Bord Pleanála’s permission for a fast-tracked 661-home development at Rathmullen on the outskirts of Drogheda has been overturned by the High Court over issues to do with the proximity to the site of the Battle of the Boyne and the scheme’s impact on wildlife.

Irish Independent

Redbridge Council awarded 3-year injunction over illegal encampments

Serious damage resulting from unauthorised traveller encampments has led the High Court to grant a three-year injunction to the London Borough of Redbridge. The order is against Martin Stokes and 99 other named defendants and persons unknown “forming or intending to form unauthorised encampments”.

Local Government Lawyer

Woking goes for independent review of stadium development loan

Woking Borough Council has appointed prominent local government lawyer Gifty Edila to conduct an independent review of its actions over a controversial stadium development in which it offered a developer a £250 million loan.

Local Government Lawyer

Pinsent Masons take on key Stonehenge challenge

The UK Department for Transport has appointed law firm Pinsent Masons to provide legal support in relation to the judicial review challenge over government plans to build a dual carriageway beneath the Stonehenge World Heritage Site.

Local Government Lawyer