Hospital Trust Seeks Judicial Review Over Lutterworth East Development

Hospital bosses are seeking a Judicial Review after being awarded no money to cope with the influx of patients it says the building of 2,750 new homes near Lutterworth will bring.

The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust has issued proceedings against Harborough District Council, after its application for just under a million pounds was unsuccessful.

The Trust requested the money via the ‘Section 106’ scheme, where developers fund improvements to infrastructure and services impacted by new homes.

It now wants the High Court to intervene, saying the impact of the Lutterworth East scheme will add serious pressures to the hospitals, with an estimated 3,487 extra people a year needing to use them.

Richard Mitchell, Chief Executive at Leicester’s Hospitals, said: “We have sought a judicial review to support our aim in making sure the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland have timely and safe access to health care services.”

Patient campaigner Zuffar Haq told HFM he understands why the hospitals are taking the action:

The area set for the development

Leicestershire County Council was granted planning permission for the major development, adjacent to the M1, in 2020.

A spokesperson told HFM: “We are aware that the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust is challenging Harborough District Council’s decision to grant planning permission for the Lutterworth East scheme.

“As both landowner and applicant, Leicestershire County Council is an interested party in the proceedings and will not be commenting further whilst proceedings are ongoing.”

A spokesperson for Harborough District Council told HFM: “We can confirm that the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust has issued judicial review proceedings against the Council.

“The claim relates to Leicestershire County Council’s planning application at Lutterworth East.

“It is therefore inappropriate for us to comment while the case is ongoing.”