No Judicial Review Of Warren Farm Decision

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But campaigners say fight isn't over yet

The High Court has rejected calls for a Judicial Review of the multi-million pound redevelopment of Warren Farm sports ground.

Campaigners had wanted the High Court of Justice to look at Ealing Council's decision to give land - rent free for 200 years - to QPR football club for their new Training and Academy HQ.

The application was refused by Mr Justice Lewis who rejected all claims made by Hanwell Community Forum.

The judge confirmed that the council acted appropriately in granting Queen’s Park Rangers Football Club (QPR FC) planning permission to redevelop the site and awarded QPR’s costs of £5,000 against Hanwell Community Forum.

Councillor Julian Bell, leader of the council, said: “We are pleased with the High Court’s decision to reject the application for a judicial review and, with QPR set to invest millions of pounds into the community sports facilities, I’m confident we’ve secured the best deal for local people.

“Once the site is up-and-running, QPR will implement a significant community sports development programme focuses on encouraging local people, particularly young women, older people and people with disabilities, to get involved in sport. The club will also be responsible for on-going maintenance of the new facilities, with no cost to taxpayers or the council.”

QPR’s Chief Operating Officer, Mark Donnelly, said: "We are pleased with the outcome from the High Court and welcome the news that the application for a judicial review has been rejected.
 
“We look forward to continue working closely with Ealing Council on this project.”

Carolyn Brown, Chair of Hanwell Community Forum said they were disappointed by the ruling but now plan to request an oral hearing:

'' The battle is still very much on to save Warren Farm for the community, and the children and sports clubs that use the largest and best-drained playing fields in the Borough.  Our supporters believe that it is wrong for Ealing Council to give this valuable space for 200 years, at no rent, to a commercial organisation to build an enormous development on London’s green belt  for the benefit of its own profits and shareholders.''

Under the plans, QPR will build a new multi-million pound community sports complex alongside its elite training facility, which will provide a base for the club’s training academy as well as give local people access to high-quality community and sports facilities.

The improvements will also include enhanced football and cricket pitches, a new artificial turf pitch and multi-use games areas suitable for sports such as netball and tennis. There will be a new changing facilities catering for disabled users, as well as bookable community space in the new clubhouse. 

The community group now has a week in which to seek an oral hearing to ask that the judge’s decision is reconsidered.

20 March 2014