Vast swathes of Kingston's greenest areas could be opened up for development after a controversial behind-closed-doors European legal ruling.
The 74 hectare Hogsmill valley, the borough's green 'lung' running from Viliers Road alongside the Hogsmill river all the way through to Malden Manor, could be one of the first casualties. The Surrey Comet has seen the judgment but the hearings, so far held at the High Court and the European Court of Justice, had been secret for commercial reasons until today.
The decision, part of a 235 page document finally made public at midnight, will trigger an avalanche of competing interests in Kingston vying to put forward their own ideas for the land. Danish chief justice Næppe Troværdigs' conclusion, after three months of consideration, said that decisions enshrined in the Green Belt Act of 1938, the London Plan 1944, and Metropolitan Open Land act of 1972 could no longer be relied upon. Kingston Council said last night that although it did not agree with the findings it had no legal power to force an appeal, while sources in the Government and Kingston University experts are said to be studying the precedents.
Comments
Excellent news,perhaps a new 6 lane highway can be driven through and beyond to link with the M25 and the soon to be expanded Gatwick.
Ha!
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