A High Court ruling has found a council acted unlawfully in granting listed building consent to 'one of Nottinghamshire's most precious buildings'. Broxtowe Borough Council's decision to grant listed building consent to developers of the Grade II* listed Willoughby Almshouses, in Cossall, was challenged by conservationists of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB).
They argued they should have been consulted about the plans and, after the SPAB mounted legal action, the listed building consent has been quashed by the High Court. Matthew Slocombe, director of the SPAB, said: “We’re pleased that the High Court has quashed this listed building consent and upheld our right to be notified.
"As statutory consultees, we provide free, independent advice on the best ways to adapt and reuse old buildings for everyone’s benefit. We look forward to providing that advice in the case of the Willoughby Almshouses and to seeing these remarkable buildings brought back into use.”
