Redevelopment of ITV Studios facing court trial
ITV South Bank Studio Redevelopment Given Green Light Despite Ongoing Opposition
The ITV South Bank studio redevelopment has once again been given the go-ahead, despite continued opposition from Save Our South Bank (SOS). Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, has approved the £700m project, despite SOS's plans for a judicial review.
The redevelopment project, initially revealed in 2021 by Mitsubishi Architects and CO-RE, was put on hold in 2022 when Gove issued an Article 31 notice while the government considered whether the development should be 'called-in.'
The redevelopment project, if approved, will create a two-block, office-led development reaching 25 storeys at its highest point. Proponents argue that the new office space, employment opportunities, and an arts space will greatly benefit the community.
However, SOS contends that the decision to approve the redevelopment "flies in the face of policy regarding housing, reducing carbon, and the circular economy." They claim that the redevelopment will generate 100,000 tonnes of carbon, potentially prohibiting net zero goals. SOS also argues that the decision contains significant legal errors, including the threat of two overbearing joined-together tower blocks to the South Bank, which some locals previously referred to as a 'swollen deformity.'
Despite these concerns, the project has received permission from Lambeth Council, Sadiq Khan (Mayor of London), and CO-RE, developers based in central London. The redevelopment project is still set to be completed by Lendlease.
It is worth noting that no available search results document judicial review plans or legal/environmental criticisms specifically for Michael Gove’s decision on the ITV South Bank studio redevelopment. Common grounds for challenge in such redevelopment disputes typically involve procedural legal errors, environmental impact including carbon emissions, and sustainable housing considerations. Further updated or specialized legal news sources, planning authority records, or Michael Gove’s official statements would be needed to provide a precise update on judicial review or specific concerns related to this redevelopment project.
What is Judicial Review?
Judicial review is a legal process where courts review the lawfulness of a public authority’s decision, such as a government minister’s on planning or redevelopment. Common grounds for challenge include legal errors in procedure, failure to consider environmental impacts like carbon emissions, and concerns about whether redevelopment supports sustainable housing goals.
- The continued opposition from Save Our South Bank (SOS) against the ITV South Bank studio redevelopment has culminated in plans for a judicial review, which aims to challenge the decision made by Michael Gove on the project's policy and legislation.
- The redevelopment project's approval by Michael Gove, despite the concerns raised by SOS, has been criticized by the community group for potentially disregarding policy regarding housing, reducing carbon, and the circular economy, as well as creating an environmental impact with carbon emissions reaching 100,000 tonnes.
- Following the decision to approve the ITV South Bank studio redevelopment, the debate has moved from policy-and-legislation discussions to general news, with concerns being raised about the potential legal errors in the decision, environmental impact, and the suitability of the new development in terms of sustainable housing.
