Liverpool Project Jennifer court case move may speed up hearing
A COURT case to decide whether a Tesco store can be built in a deprived area of Liverpool will be transferred out of London to the North West – a move expected to speed up the process.
The supermarket giant is challenging the legal battle it lost against Sainsbury’s over a multi-million pound plan to revamp the Great Homer Street area of Everton.
Tesco is seeking a review of the decision, but Liverpool council and developers St Modwen, who are working with Sainsbury’s on a bigger scheme, will also give evidence in the case.
Yesterday it was revealed the council and St Modwen had successfully petitioned the High Court to move the case from London to the North West.
They hope this will help speed up the process as courts outside the capital tend to be less busy. City chiefs and Tesco have clashed over the supermarket’s legal challenge. The council and St Modwen say the legal challenge has delayed progress on the £150m Project Jennifer scheme.
But Tesco say there is nothing stopping the council progressing the scheme, whether that be submitting a planning application or seeking a compulsory purchase order (CPO).
The supermarket is appealing on a point of law.
The city council’s plan includes a 110,000 sq ft Sainsbury’s supermarket, non-food retail stores, a market hall, 481 new homes, a health centre, a new library, and some industrial space.
Tesco itself wants to build a 27,000 sq ft superstore and indoor and outdoor markets.
Neither party can proceed with the separate schemes without the other’s land.
Tesco had originally been in talks with developers St Modwen and brought legal action to try to proceed with its own plans in the area.
A spokesman for Tesco said the supermarket agreed that it was in everyone’s interest that the case was heard in a timely manner.
"We remain committed to investing in Liverpool and we really believe we have got a great scheme for the Great Homer Street area."
Michelle Taylor, regional director at St Modwen, said: "It’s great news that the decision will now be made by a court based in the North West.
"Along with the court move, we have formally requested that the High Court brings the ruling as far forward as it can so that the community does not have to wait in limbo.
"It is a frustrating time for all involved. The community has always maintained widespread support for Project Jennifer.
"It wants a comprehensive scheme which will deliver real change in north Liverpool, benefiting the area for many years to come – something which our development will achieve."
Regeneration leader Cllr Peter Millea said: "We want this matter to be resolved as quickly as possible for the sake of the local community, who have clearly shown they want a comprehensive regeneration scheme for the area.
"While there are still legal challenges, Project Jennifer is suffering further delays and the community and local businesses face uncertainty."
