Royal Greenwich Disappointed At High Courts Decision Over Cruise Liner Terminal

by Benson Agoha | Woolwich

The Royal Borough of Greenwich has expressed disappointment at a High Court decision on Tuesday 19 April, 2016 to grant a full Judicial Review of it's decision to give planning approval for a Cruise Liner Terminal at east Greenwich.

It comes after a resident of East Greenwich challenged the approval of a Cruise Liner Terminal for the Greenwich Peninsular, the first of its kind in London.

EGRA had said in a statement that Royal Greenwich's December 2015 decision, granting permission for an international cruise liner terminal on the Thames was done without adequate assessment of the environmental impact of the siting.

But the council statement said it has always been fully committed to improving air quality within the borough and that it duly commissioned an independent assessment of air dispersion before giving its approval.

Council said the air quality assessment carried was "robust and suitable and sufficient to inform the planning decision".

It said even the air quality measures were subjected to independent scrutiny by the Mayor of London before he gave final approval to the scheme.

It said the High Decision will create unwanted delay to the project and by extension, delaying the accruing benefits to the borough and London.

* Simulated image of polluted Terminal from Cruise Liners.
(Greenwich Cruise Port)

-----<><><>-----

Read the Full Council Statement:

The Royal Borough of Greenwich notes the High Court decision on 19 April 2016 to grant a full Judicial Review of the Council’s decision to give planning approval to a riverside development at Enderby Wharf in East Greenwich, including a passenger cruise liner terminal.

The Royal Borough is fully committed to improving air quality in the borough and before approving the cruise liner terminal, commissioned independent consultants to carry out detailed air dispersion modelling.

The Council considers that the air quality assessments were robust and suitable and sufficient to inform the planning decision. Our air quality measures were subjected to independent scrutiny by the Mayor of London before he gave final approval to the scheme.

The Council is therefore disappointed at yesterday’s decision, which will create delays to the project and delays to the benefits that it offers both for Greenwich and the capital, through new homes, jobs, retail space, improved public realm and a new skills centre. Above all, the scheme offers an important boost for tourism, which is one of the largest sectors in the local economy.

-----<><> Read also <><>-----

* Why One East Greenwich Resident Is Challenging The Greenwich Cruise Liner Terminal Approval
* Royal Greenwich Statement On High Court Challenge To Enderby Wharf Cruise Liner Terminal

-----<><><><>-----