CrowdJustice funding platform unveils second potential case against council

The CrowdJustice website has unveiled a second potential legal action against a local authority in a matter of days.

The latest case concerns Hounslow Council’s grant of planning permission to developer Lend Lease for a residential complex of 13, 8, 7 and 6 storey buildings on Chiswick High Road overlooking Turnham Green.

The grant of planning permission was made “despite widespread opposition”, according to claimant Simon Kverndal.

He has already secured 84% of his £10,000 target with 22 days left.

Kverndal said the funds would go towards paying for his legal team, law firm Richard Buxton Environmental and Public  Law and barristers Dan Kolinsky QC and Luke Wilcox of Landmark Chambers.

An application for judicial review was made in April this year. The claimant said he expected a decision from the High Court on whether to grant permission for the challenge this month.

“Our lawyers are arguing that the grant of planning permission did not properly engage with the council's policies for the area,” Kverndal said.

He added: “The decision in this case rides roughshod over local, area and national planning policies and the interests of the local community that lives and works here. It was pushed through in violation of the council’s own policies on sustainable development in Chiswick: policies on employment, high rise development, affordable housing, local heritage and more.”

The other case involving a potential legal action against a council is being brought by Thomas Middleton, who is challenging a decision to restrict contact with his wife of 67 years (now in a care home).

This case is 35% funded, with 15 days left to secure the remaining amount of the £4,000 total needed.

A third case involves a judicial review of the Communities Secretary’s decision to grant planning permission for a waste tip. This has 49% of the £5,000 required.