Member Article

Taylor&Emmet helps residents fight fire with fire

Sheffield’s Taylor&Emmet LLP has helped win a high court battle to stop a crematorium being constructed in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Litigation expert, Paul Clarke, is part of the legal team acting for a group of Nottinghamshire locals trying to prevent private developers building in a well known beauty spot.

Westerleigh Group gained permission last year to erect a crematorium and cemetery in the Lambley Dumbles, North Nottinghamshire, which is reputed to have inspired DH Lawrence. Despite opposition from residents, Gelding Borough Council decided there was need for the facility and granted planning in the green belt.

Taylor&Emmet’s experts were asked to help local residents by planning consultants and regular partners of the firm, Ian Baseley Associates, when the council refused to review its decision. Following a high court trial in Birmingham, Mr Justice Green ruled mistakes had been made and the planners were instructed to reassess the application.

Paul said: “This is a victory for the public and the protection of places we regard as special. Residents of the Lambley Dumbles understandably did not want to have this development built next door to them, in what is a particularly beautiful spot, so we agreed to help on a no win, no fee basis. Planning decisions are becoming harder to challenge, but this shows that with determination and expert advice, it is still possible to achieve the right result.”

For more information about Taylor&Emmet’s litigation services, contact (0114) 218 4000, visit www.tayloremmet.co.uk or follow the firm on Twitter @tayloremmet.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Nina Sorby .