Admin Court grants permission to challenge the closure of Access Croydon
Local Government, Housing, Judicial Review & Public Law
On 7 July 2026, the Administrative Court, following an oral permission hearing, granted permission for a judicial review of Croydon London Borough Council’s decision to close its walk in homelessness service at Bernard Wetherill House, known as “Access Croydon”. As a result, the only way that those seeking information, advice and assistance from the Council under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 was to apply via an online application form or by telephone.
Issues with obtaining access to the homelessness service
Croydon argued that those people who do not have access to electronic devices could attend Croydon Central Library to make an online application. However, the Judge indicated that it was not clear to him “that library staff were provided with training that enables them to provide assistance to those struggling with online forms”. In those circumstances, for those who have learning disabilities, such as the claimant, it was arguable that the assistance provided was not sufficient.
Case in 60 seconds
- The Administrative Court has granted permission to challenge the closure of Access Croydon, Croydon council’s walk in homeless service at Bernard Wetherill House.
- Since the closure of the council’s walk in, local residents’ only access to information is through an online application or telephone.
- The Judge indicated that the mitigation measures put in place by the Council were arguably inadequate and in breach of s179 of the Housing Act 1996, the Equality Act 2010 and Human Rights Act 1998.
- The Judge held it was arguable that the decision was beyond what was conceived as an “operational decision”, and thus the decision to close the walk in service was not properly made.
- The Judge rejected arguments advanced by the Council that the claim was academic, that the claimant lacked standing and the challenge was unlikely to make any difference.
- The Judge indicated that the claim should if possible be heard this year.
Another issue identified by the Judge was that “those who are turned away [from Access Croydon] are not given clear signposting” to the library. This posed a further “practical barrier” to them accessing the Council’s homelessness service.
As to the suggestion that a person could call the council, the Judge held that he had “not been shown any evidence that this facility is publicised at the Access Croydon site” and that there was evidence of it being “difficult to get through to the phone line”.
The Judge therefore held that a claim alleging breach of s.179 of the Housing Act and breach of the Human Rights Act and Equality Act was arguable.
Other issues in the case
In addition, the Judge held that it was arguable that “a decision of this kind, which was to make a significant change to the way in which people could access public services” was arguably beyond an what was conceived as an “operational decision”. This meant it was arguably not properly made under powers delegated to the Council’s Chief Executive Officer. The Judge noted that “this issue is one of public importance in delineating the difference between key decisions and operational decisions”.
The Judge rejected arguments advanced by the Council that the claim was academic, that the claimant lacked standing and that the challenge was unlikely to make any difference.
The claimant’s legal team
The claimant is represented by Jeremy Ogilvie-Harris, led by Tom Hickman KC of Blackstone Chambers. Jeremy is instructed by Alexandra Goldenberg of Public Interest Law Centre. The claimant is funded by a Legal Aid certificate.
The Judge indicated that the claim should if possible be heard this year.
About the Author:
Jeremy Ogilvie-Harris is a human rights and public law barrister specialising in housing, homelessness, benefits, planning and environment, energy, protest and information and data protection. He has experience of representing individuals, public authorities and companies in judicial review proceedings.
This case is of wider public importance and has received coverage in Inside Croydon and the Standard.
