Newbury's Monks Lane sports hub High Court legal challenge fails

A legal challenge to stop the new sports hub being built at Monks Lane in Newbury has failed.

The applicants now have seven days to appeal the decision.

The High Court also awarded the council costs.

Meanwhile, West Berkshire Council has welcomed the decision.

“I am delighted that the High Court agreed with us that this case had no merit," said Lynne Doherty (Con, Speen), leader of West Berkshire Council.

"While we are pleased that the council will be able to recover the costs associated with successfully defending our decision, I am disappointed that this challenge will mean a short delay until this excellent facility can welcome its first users.

"We hope that the decision of the High Court will draw a line under this matter.

"As ever we are committed to providing this first-class facility as quickly as possible which will benefit Newbury and the whole of West Berkshire.”

Planning permission was granted by West Berkshire Council in March 2022, but development of the site was paused subject to the outcome of the legal challenge.

The case was brought by Newbury resident Alan Pearce, who argued the planning permission was flawed.

Councillor Alan Law, chairman of the district planning committee said: “The High Court’s decision to dismiss the application for a judicial review of the committee's decision is very welcome.

"I am pleased that this local decision, which was made with the interests of the residents of West Berkshire in mind, has been upheld.”

The facility is scheduled to open in 2023.