Challenge to Bristol Rovers move away from Memorial Ground rejected
the redevelopment of Bristol Rover’s Memorial Ground for a supermarket, which redevelopment would allow it to fund a new ground and significant improved facilities in conjunction with the University of West England. The case was highly contentious, with a request to move it to Cardiff on basis of concern over intimidation rejected. It had even been mentioned in Prime Minister’s Question Time. It was alleged that the officer’s report had misled the committee on important aspects of retail impact and had offended against the CIL Regulations. Hickinbottom J rejected the challenges, upholding the submissions of James Findlay QC and Richard Ground who appeared for Bristol City Council. In a robust judgment he provided a useful check list in terms of approach to challenges to officers’ reports.
