Legal briefs: Legal challenge launched over Brokenshire London tower refusal; Fracking challenge fails

Legal challenge launched over Brokenshire London tower refusal

A legal challenge has been launched against the housing secretary’s decision to refuse plans for a 17-storey residential tower in Purley. 

The Planner

Fracking challenge fails

The High Court has rejected all grounds of a challenge by environmental group Friends of the Earth over the Environment Agency’s decision to grant a licence variation to fracking firm Cuadrilla Bowland for work at its site at Preston New Road, Lancashire.

Local Government Lawyer

Scientologist’s trust challenges ruling for rehab centre plan

A High Court challenge has been brought over a proposed €9 million drug rehabilitation centre linked to the Church of Scientology in County Meath and whether it requires planning permission.

Irish Independent

Ruling on NI civil service decision-making powers

The UK Supreme Court has decided that legal uncertainties around the powers of Northern Ireland civil servants amid the Stormont impasse should be dealt with in a case before Belfast High Court involving the North South Interconnector.

Irish Times

County Kildare quarry submission squashed 

An Taisce and environmentalist Peter Sweetman have been refused permission to appeal An Bord Pleanála’s decision it could not legally accept their submissions over the issue of substitute consent for an unauthorised quarry in County Kildare. 

Irish Times

Craigavon campus scheme challenged

Opponents of proposals for a £45 million Southern Regional College campus in Craigavon have announced that they are seeking an emergency judicial review after the local council approved the project earmarked for a site next to the £30 million Craigavon leisure centre.

Belfast Telegraph