UK Court Clean Bowls Bermuda Firm On LCCA
A Bermuda company’s bid to block Lancashire County Cricket Club [LCCC] plans to rdevelop its Old Trafford ground [pictured] was clean bowled by the UK High Court this morning [Mar. 10].
Property company Derwent Holdings, owners of a nearby retail park, had sought a judicial review of planning permission given to the club for a £32 million redevelopment.
But following a court action heard in Manchester last week, the Bermuda firm’s objections were dismissed in today’s ruling. A Derwent Holdings spokesman said today the company would not be commenting on the High Court decision.
Bermuda-based Derwent Holding is associated with British multi-millionaire Albert Gubay, who lives in the Isle of Man. In March, 2010 Mr. Gubay transferred his whole business empire, including property group Derwent Holdings, to a charitable trust, fulfilling a “deal with God” the devoted Roman Catholic made as an impoverished young man.
Derwent Holdings had objected to the LCCA proposal after its own plans to expand its nearby White City retail park were rejected.
LCCC chief executive Jim Cumbes, who had warned that the review’s outcome would “make or break” the club, told the BBC: “This is a historic moment for Old Trafford, as it will ultimately secure the future of international cricket in Greater Manchester and the North West as well as enabling us to fulfil our promises to local schools and the local community at large.
“This development has undergone every kind of scrutiny and delay possible and we have successfully cleared every hurdle put in front of us. We can now turn our attention to the work that needs doing to enable us to submit our bid for an Ashes Test match in 2013.”
