Causeway Coast Community News reveals A leaked email sent to elected members from the Chief Executive David Jackson reveals that Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council is facing a legal bill of around £40,000. The bill relates to Council successfully defending a legal challenge to a new caravan site in Portrush.
The email reveals that the eight day hearing cost ratepayers circa £40,000. The email went on to say that if an outside law firm were brought in, it would have cost in excess of £100,000.
Christine Alexander, a Portrush resident lost her High Court challenge last month to the new caravan site.
Christine Alexander was seeking to judicially review Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council for granting planning permission to the 120-site development on the outskirts of Portrush. Mr Justice McCloskey dismissed her case on nine different grounds of challenge mounted by her legal team.
Ms Alexander issued proceedings against Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council after it decided to approve the caravan park at a former quarry location on the Craigahulliar Road.
Ms Alexander, who lives in Portrush, mounted a wide-ranging challenge, involving claims the council misapplied relevant planning policy and disregarded the visual impact on the surrounding landscape. However, Mr Justice McCloskey ruled: “None of the grounds of challenge having been established, this application for judicial review must be dismissed.”
