By ROBERT GIBSON

Last updated at 17:21, Friday, 09 October 2009

THE Duke of Northumberland’s £30 million plans to revamp Prudhoe town centre are facing their greatest threat to date.

For the Co-operative Group, which has an outlet on Oakfield Terrace, is pursuing a judicial review of the decision to pass the controversial scheme.

A successful hearing later this year could see the High Court quash the planning authorities’ rulings, meaning it would be back to the drawing board for Northumberland Estates.

This week the developers accused the Co-op of “trying to slow down an important regeneration scheme”, but campaigners welcomed the news.

John Robson, who leads the Take Pride in Prudhoe action group said: “Regardless of the outcome, this review will put the brakes on the redevelopment until the lawfulness of how the scheme was handled has been checked out by the High Court.

“We think there were many serious problems, departures from local planning policies and errors that occurred in the planning process, so the news comes as no surprise.”

Chairman of the Prudhoe Traders’ Association John Short added: “This is absolutely wonderful news, as we believe mistakes have been made.”

The Duke’s plans, which include a Sainsbury’s, a multi-storey car park and more than 150 new homes, have divided opinion since they were first put forward.

Despite this, they were passed by Tynedale Council last June, and have since been given the go-ahead by Government Office for the North-East.

Some local people remain vehemently opposed to the development and have raised concerns with the Local Government Ombudsman.

Judicial review provides the only opportunity to fight the decision. High Court judges will not be considering the merits of the Duke’s scheme, but will question the lawfulness of the planning decision. The court can then intervene to quash it, clarify the law or compensate the applicant.

A spokesman for the Co-operative Group said: “We have looked at the planning permission and supporting documents and have concerns about the way in which the application was assessed and determined.

“The court has recognised there is potential to merit a case. We look forward to presenting our case at the hearing.”

Development director at Northumberland Estates Colin Barnes pointed out this was a “procedural challenge to the council” and not a case against the developers. “The judicial review will inevitably lead to some delay, probably an extra year all told,” he said.

“I can understand from a commercial perspective that the Co-op would like to remain the only supermarket in the town for as long as it can, but you have to question its motives in trying to slow down what is an important regeneration scheme for the area.”

First published at 09:51, Friday, 09 October 2009
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk