TV studio plans face legal challenge from campaign groups

Plans for a new ITV studio complex in London could face a High Court legal challenge, as campaigners claim Michael Gove has ‘misinterpreted’ local planning policy.

The £700 million development, on London’s South Bank, has faced fierce criticism despite gaining approval from the Secretary of State for Levelling up, Housing and Communities in February.

Save Our South Bank (SOSB), a collective of campaign groups that object to the plans, are set to hand in their legal submission to the High Court to challenge the decision later this year.

Here, we look into the scheme, the complexities of local planning policy and the importance of bringing the community with you when planning any new development.

The situation

Plans for ITV’s multi-million-pound new studios are causing quite a stir in London’s South Bank.

Proposals for two high-rise blocks – one 26-storey, the other 13-storey – which are set to replace ITV’s former 24-storey studios are facing a backlash from the community.

Campaigners claim the development fails to recognise the requirement to deliver housing as part of Lambeth Council’s local plan, arguing the area has been zoned for mixed-use projects and should be used that way.

Plans for the site show, once built, it will be almost entirely office space.

Once the campaign groups have submitted their legal challenge, the High Court will have three months to determine whether the case should go to a judicial review.

Local Plans

Local plans are useful in making decision on future developments in an area, deciding how much development should take place, and what type of development best suits the needs of the community.

The battle erupting in South Bank is over whether the new scheme matches the objectives of the council’s local plan.

Now, we haven’t seen the specific details of the legal challenge but know how long it can take a council to approve its local plan – and how much frustration it can cause residents if this plan is not followed.

It will be fascinating to see how the project, and the legal challenge, develops.

Community engagement

With all construction projects, engaging with the local community is paramount.

With the community on your side, well-informed and positive about your plans, construction projects can go ahead with limited disruption from legal issues or bad publicity.

Knowing the area, being sensitive to the needs and wishes of the community, understanding the issues and challenges ahead are all crucial factors crucial in putting together a construction proposal.