Court rejects legal challenge to council decision
Court rejects legal challenge to council decision
The High Court has refused permission for a judicial review challenge to the decision the council made in March 2022 about the potential future use of the former River Park Leisure Centre site.
The request for a judicial review had already been refused permission in August, and this decision was upheld on Wednesday by Mrs Justice Thornton, after a hearing at the High Court, which found that the process for the decision was legally correct. The council has also been awarded £5,000 in costs.
Cllr Martin Tod, Leader of Winchester City Council says:
“We have always been confident that the decision to allow the University of Southampton the space and time to look into developing their Winchester campus on the former River Park Leisure Centre site was sound, and I’m pleased that the judge has reaffirmed this. I now look forward to the University working closely with local people to shape the future of this site as they share and develop their plans for an extended campus”
“Winchester has a long history of learning and innovation and these first steps could mark the beginning of an exciting phase of investment that will benefit the whole district. The proposal makes use of the site of the old building and part of the car park. This confirms, once again, that the decision we took leaves the green space and play area we all love, wholly untouched and fully protected for public use.”