OLYMPIC CHALLENGES

Following the decision of the International Olympic Committee to select London as the host City for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012, the London Development Agency made the London Development (Lower Lea Valley, Olympic and Legacy) Compulsory Purchase Order 2005, in order to acquire about 330 hectares of land for regeneration purposes including the construction of the Olympic Stadia and Athletes Village and the legacy proposals. An inquiry took place between May and August 2006 at which the London Development Agency was presented by Guy Roots QC, Richard Glover and James Pereira.

Following confirmation of the Order on 18th December 2006, three challenges were commenced under section 23 of the Land Acquisition Act 1981, which sought to quash the Secretary of State's decision to confirm the Order. One of these was subsequently withdrawn and the other two were successfully defended. These decision are reported as Smith v. Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and London Development Agency [2007] EWHC 1013 (Admin) (Wyn Williams J) and Sole v. Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and London Development Agency [2007] EWHC (Admin) (Sir Michael Harrison). Guy Roots QC, Richard Glover, James Pereira and Alex Booth acted for the London Development Agency.

In addtion to the section 23 challenges, two related judicial reviews were commenced. In the first, the claimnant sought to challenge the Secretary of State's decision to exercise his power under section 13C of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 to defer confirmation of a plot of land required to relocate a bus depot outside the proposed Olympic Park. The claim was successfully defended and the decision is reported as R. (on the application of Neptune Wharf Ltd and another) v. Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and London Development Agency [2007] EWHC 1036 (Admin) (Wyn Williams J). Guy Roots QC and Richard Glover acted for the London Development Agency. The second judicial review was commenced by the Manor Garden Society, whose members are allotment holders on a site within the proposed Olympic Park. This claim was withdrawn before the hearing. Guy Roots QC, James Pereira and Alex Booth acted for the London Development Agency.