South Bucks District Council Wins Legal Challenge 

South Bucks District Council has successfully defended a legal challenge made to its Core Strategy.

Following adoption of the Core Strategy on 22nd February 2011, there was a six week period in which any aggrieved person could make an application to the High Court to challenge the Council’s adoption of the Core Strategy. A claim was submitted on 4th April 2011 by an individual claiming the Core Strategy was not ‘sound’ (a statutory test) in relation to the consideration of an amendment to the Green Belt boundary at his property in Richings Park. The claimant was seeking to have land removed from the Green Belt, thereby removing a significant constraint on the future development of this land.

The Court Hearing was held on 15th March 2012. In front of a judge, the Barristers acting on behalf of the claimant and Council presented their respective cases. The ruling from the judge was handed down on 30th March 2012. He dismissed the claim and ordered the claimant to pay the Council’s legal costs.

South Bucks District Council's Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development, Councillor Roger Reed said “This is absolutely the right decision. The Council attaches great importance to protection of the Green Belt and I am delighted that the judge has endorsed the Core Strategy as a robust basis for future planning decisions.”