LCP RESPONDS TO JUDICIAL REVIEW

28/01/2016 Awaiting news image

LCP is considering further action after the High Court found against it in a legal challenge over a rival town centre scheme in Skelmersdale, Lancashire.

Skelmersdale Limited Partnership – a joint venture between LCP and Threadneedle Investment – said it is “bitterly disappointed” after its application for judicial review against West Lancashire Borough Council found in favour of the local authority.

LCP took legal action after the council granted approval to a development that it argued would threaten the vitality and viability of the popular Concourse Shopping Centre, which Skelmersdale Limited Partnership owns and manages.

LCP, which is planning a £4 million leisure scheme at the popular centre, challenged the authority on a number of legal and technical points.

The case was heard last week and yesterday (27th January, 2016) the High Court published its decision.

Jo Salmon, retail portfolio manager, said: “The judicial review set out a number of points of law that challenged the council’s granting of planning approval to St Modwen for a competing scheme in the town centre.

“We are, of course, bitterly disappointed with the outcome but we will continue to press ahead with our plans, which are well under way, to deliver our £4 million leisure scheme at the Concourse Centre.

“We maintain that a second scheme will bring uncertainty to the market and will make our job very much more difficult, but we want to reassure locals, workers, shoppers and existing businesses that we are going ahead with our plans.”

LCP is planning a major leisure scheme, which will comprise a 20,000 sq ft multi-screen cinema, along with two food outlets, on the second floor of the shopping centre, while four existing units would be converted on the first floor to accommodate restaurants.

The shopping centre, which houses more than 70 shops including well-known high street names, will also undergo improvements.

Planning permission was granted by West Lancashire Borough Council in December 2014. It will ensure the future vitality and viability of the Concourse Shopping Centre, creating at least 40 new jobs, as well as protecting the 800-plus jobs that are already ther