North West council to apply to vacate High Court hearing in police HQ dispute to allow for further negotiations

Salford City Council will seek to delay a High Court case for six months to try to allow for settlement of a lengthy dispute with a developer.

Stama Properties applied in 2017 to build 140 homes on the site of a former police station but this was rejected by the council despite an officer’s recommendation in favour with conditions. Stama later began an action for breach of contract.

In a decision notice published by the council, deputy city mayor John Merry said he had approved “applying to vacate a High Court hearing for a period of six months and agree to undertake further discussions and negotiations” as detailed in a council report that remains confidential.

Cllr Merry said Growth and Development Scrutiny Committee chair Robert Sharpe had agreed the decision was urgent and therefore not subject to call-in.

A statement by Cllr Sharpe said: “The application to vacate a High Court hearing has emerged to seek to resolve litigation before going to court, potentially avoiding a lengthy trial at public expense.

“Any delay caused by the call-in processes, would seriously prejudice the legal, commercial and financial position of the council il and the interests of the residents of Salford.”

Mark Smulian