Revealed: Council's court bid to block Telford solar farm failed after legal claim served too late
Telford & Wrekin Council's legal bid to block a solar farm failed because it was not served on time, it has emerged.
The council had pledged to challenge the decision by the Government to approve New Works Solar farm in the courts – but then said it had failed on a 'technicality'.
It has now emerged that the 'technicality' was a failure to serve the claim for a Statutory Review by the deadline.
A legal challenge attempting to gain an extension of the time limit for the claim then also failed – after being submitted two months later.
The 99-acre solar farm, between Arleston and Lawley, was originally turned down by Telford & Wrekin Council's planning committee.
A planning inspector then agreed with the decision before a minister for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities overruled the decision, on March 27.
The council had six weeks to file a claim for a Statutory Review, which it did on Thursday, May 4.
The deadline was May 8 – but moved to May 9 due to the bank holiday Monday.
The claim was processed by the court on May 15, and served on the defendant on May 18 – past the six-week deadline for it to be served.
