Warning over cost of appeal against Morrisons in Newport
Telford & Wrekin Council could be left with a bill for tens of thousands of pounds if its second appeal against a supermarket in Newport is dismissed, a campaigner warned today.
The local authority has been granted permission to appeal against the secretary of state's decision to approve the Morrisons store in Audley Avenue for a second time.
Also fighting the council's corner is St Modwen Developments, which is behind a bid for a larger Sainsbury's on the authority's land off Station Road.
The case is likely to be heard by the Court of Appeal next year.
Councillor Adrian Meredith, who is a leading member of the Save Newport Campaign Group, warned that the council could be made to pay the court costs of the respondents – including Audley Avenue landowner David Tringham – if its appeal fails.
The council says that any costs can be accommodated within its budget for legal fees surrounding supermarkets in Newport, which is up to £1.5m. The council has already spent more than £1.2m of that figure.
Councillor Meredith said: "I really cannot see the judge overruling another high court judge and the planning inspector who made the first decision."
Russell Griffin, a spokesman for Telford & Wrekin Council, insisted that the council had solid grounds to appeal.
Amongst its arguments, the council says that the Morrisons developers are not contributing enough towards road improvements in the area.
