The firm behind the bombshell legal challenge of Wolverhampton’s planned £300 million Summer Row shopping centre today told the Express & Star it would not bow to council pressure and back down.
London and Cambridge Properties, the leaseholder of the Wulfrun Centre, admitted it had no idea if or when the potentially costly dispute which threatens to hold up the city’s shopping dream could be settled.
Bosses say they are “not against the development full stop”, but it has serious concerns about the relationship between Summer Row and the Wulfrun, which will be right next to the centre in Snow Hill.
The firm decided late last Friday to go to the High Court to challenge a decision made by the Government to allow Summer Row to go ahead, with 85 new shops anchored by Debenhams, bars, restaurants and a 10-screen cinema planned.
Steve Carlin, London and Cambridge Properties retail director, said today: “Hopefully this whole thing will be resolved satisfactorily but we have no idea how long it will take to sort it out.
“It’s a matter for the judiciary now. It’s not up to us to explain to anyone that we are unhappy with the interpretation of the ruling from the public inquiry. The court has to fix a date and we will take it from there.
“We are not against Summer Row full stop, but we have a problem about the relationship between the new development and the Wulfrun Centre and how people will access them.”
The firm, backed by traders, is concerned that shoppers will use Summer Row but neglect to take a look around the Wulfrun Centre, and that it would squeeze business without a robust plan in place.
But the city council is furious about the legal challenge which will cost taxpayers a fortune. They maintain that Summer Row will provide big benefits to the Wulfrun Centre and shops all over Wolverhampton.
It was supposed to be open in 2010, with a compulsory purchase order made to move up to 200 businesses, but all progress has been halted while the courts decide if it should go ahead.
Tory leader Councillor Neville Patten, who sat on a steering group for the Summer Row project, hit out today: “The whole thing is a disgrace – Summer Row will have big benefits to the Wulfrun Centre and will create one of the best shopping centres around and attract loads more people.
“I hope the people behind it see sense and back down. It is very depressing that this is happening because Wolverhampton needs it to go ahead.
“If the firm changes its mind it will save a lot of money because it will cost taxpayers to fight this at the High Court. I’m very disappointed and hope the council can sit down at the table with them and sort it out.
“If access between Summer Row and the Wulfrun Centre is the problem, we discussed that in the steering group and can look at it again.”
9 Comments
Stop wasting taxpayers money on something we dont need.
I am a cyclist and the money would be better spent on putting all the roads right.
So basically this Company is after a hand-out. They want a subsidy for the illusory cost of “connecting” with the new development.
If they are not opposed to the development and simply want modifications then this is not the way to go. The Council should extend the CPO to include the Wulfrun Centre, knock it down and build a proper centre which utilises the space above the shops and incorporates complementary facilities to the shops…. as does the NSR.
I would suggest that those who will waste taxpayers money are the ones who are intent on a legal challenge to prevent Wolverhampton moving forward into the future!
Let’s get this development up and going so that the residents of Wolverhampton can all benefit.
Corporate greed strikes! Boycott the Wulfrun!
why dont the shops in the wulfrun centre stop selling tat then we might just venture in. there
is only cheap and cheerful available thats why the shoppers need the development !
it won’t cost the taxpayer anything. LCP are challenging the decision of the secretary of state, not wolverhampton’s.The developer’s (Multi) would foot any bill.
“the city council is furious about the legal challenge which will cost taxpayers a fortune.”
Yeah right. When have Wolverhampton City Council ever given a second thought to taxpayer’s costs?
Here here Jimmi!!!
If the wulfrun looked at its rental cost they might not have so many shops closing on a daily basis.it is half empty before the redevelopment so they are now panacking because they know all the other shops will move to the new redevelopment shops.why would you have a shop in that dump if you could have a nice new one roll on the redevelopment i say. it will then make the greedy wulfrun owners see sence and reduce rent.