Shell Centre Scheme faces Legal Challenge

Posted on 22 July, 2014 by Neil Bird

Canary Wharf Group and Qatari Diar’s £1.3 billion redevelopment of London’s Shell Centre is to be challenged in the High Court, it has emerged today.

Shell-Centre-Scheme-faces-Legal-Challenge

The action has been launched by activist and writer George Turner who has previously questioned whether Secretary of State Eric Pickles’ approval of the plans was “legally sound.”

Turner, who is acting alone, says a sense of “outrage” has motivated the challenge which he has served on Pickles, Mayor of London Boris Johnson, Lambeth Council, Shell and the joint venture developers.

The controversial scheme, which has faced widespread opposition from community and heritage groups, will provide 1.45 million sq ft of offices, retail space and residential accommodation on the South Bank across the river from Westminster.

The 27 storey Shell Centre Tower will remain as the centrepiece of the scheme and will continue to be occupied by the company. It will be joined by eight new buildings which will be added over the course of the six-year development. New public spaces and pedestrian routes are also incorporated in the design.

When the plans got the go-ahead from Pickles last month Sir George Iacobescu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canary Wharf Group, said; “We feel privileged to have this opportunity to play a role in regenerating this popular but somewhat neglected area of London.

“We will continue to work closely with local stakeholders, residents and visitors to the local area to reap the benefits of this fantastic scheme as soon as possible.”

The groups and individuals named in the action now have two weeks to respond to the challenge.




Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


Recent Posts

Interest Rates Impact on Commercial Property

Commercial Property Investment Outlook for 2023

The best places to stay on the Riviera

The latest property data has identified Newquay as the fastest property seller’s market in the UK

Investing in your garden can increase your property’s value

French Riviera temping high-end homebuyers

How can the ownership rights of my commercial property impact a business sale?

Should I incorporate virtual property viewings permanently?

Investment expected to increase across Asia-Pacific in 2021

UK property industry slows as the conclusion of tax break looms

BNP Paribas cautioned investors on Friday as debt-trading bonanza that increased its earnings this past year

Over 300,000 property purchases fell through in 2020 – we show the most frequent motives and the best way to get your house sale back on track

House Prices in the Capital Surpass £500,000

Optimism from the Bank of England’s chief economist

The most expensive commercial properties.

Businesses operating from shared premises will miss out on grants