Land Securities and British Land has lost a House of Lords challenge against extensive retail development on the Ravenscraig site in Scotland.
The UK heavyweights’ legal challenge is against the decision by Scottish Ministers to alter the Glasgow and Clyde Valley joint structure plan to include Ravenscraig as a Town Centre and therefore permit Wilson Bowden’s extensive retail development for Ravenscraig.
Their Scottish Retail Property Limited Partnership believes the proposal contravenes National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG8). The partnership is seeking legal advice.
They believe the extent of the proposed development at Ravenscraig will have an adverse effect on other town centres in the region, such as East Kilbride, Hamilton and Motherwell. The partnership has retail interests in the region that will be affected by the £1bn redevelopment.
Ravenscraig is Scotland's largest brownfield site totalling 1,125 acres (450 ha) and has not yet been developed.
David Smith, on behalf of The Scottish Retail Property Limited Partnership, said: ‘We are disappointed with today’s decision by the House of Lords. We strongly believe that an alteration to the Structure Plan in this completely ignores the support given in National Planning Policy to existing town centres.’
He added: ‘We will now consider our legal position.’