London borough in judicial review challenge after Mayor of London approves 514-home scheme

Hillingdon Council has launched a judicial review challenge over the Mayor of London's decision to approve plans for 514 new homes on the former Master Brewer site in Ickenham.

The council originally refused the planning application from Inland Homes in March 2020 due to concerns about the inappropriate scale of the development, which includes buildings up to 12 storeys, and its impact on the surrounding area. 

However, Sadiq Khan exercised his right to call in the planning application and determine it himself.

During a virtual hearing in September 2020, he conditionally approved the plans, pending legal agreements. He gave final approval on 29 March 2021.

Hillingdon said it was seeking a judicial review “on the grounds that the scale of the planned development is not appropriate for the area, and because the council does not think full and proper consideration has been given to the air quality impacts at the site, which is next to the A40”.

The council added that it believes the Mayor acted unlawfully by not publicly reconsidering the application after he was directed to update the tall buildings policy in the London Plan by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in December 2020.

“The Mayor also failed to act in accordance with the strict requirements of the London Plan, which now contains a clear policy against tall buildings in areas that councils deem inappropriate and emphasises the key role of boroughs in determining where tall buildings should be located,” Hillingdon said.

Cllr Ian Edwards, Leader of Hillingdon Council, said: "The Master Brewer site, which is characterised by low rise suburban buildings and green belt land, is simply not suitable for excessively high tower blocks. The London Plan only permits new high-rise buildings in areas that the council has identified as suitable and Hillingdon Circus is not one of those areas. With more than 200 objections to the plans and scores of letters since the final decision was made, it's clear that residents agree with us.

"We refuse to stand by and let Ickenham's and North Hillingdon's skyline be permanently blighted by this development, and so we have been left with no choice but to fight the flawed decision through the courts.

"We will continue to put our residents first, and will continue to oppose inappropriate development."

A spokesman for the Mayor of London said he was unable to comment on legal proceedings.