The Public and Third Sector Law Reports
[2025] PTSR 726
Court of Appeal
Rex (Save Stonehenge World Heritage Site Ltd) v Secretary of State for Transport and others
[2024] EWCA Civ 1227
2024 July 15–17;Oct 16
Sir Keith Lindblom SPT, Stuart-Smith, Lewis LJJ
Planning— Development consent— World heritage site— Strategic highways company applying for development consent order for nationally significant infrastructure project affecting World Heritage Site— Secretary of State granting development consent order contrary to recommendation of statutory expert panel— Decision quashed following successful claim for judicial review— Secretary of State remaking decision to grant consent following redetermination process— Whether redetermination process procedurally unfair— Whether Secretary of State required to ensure inquisitorial process on redetermination— Whether Secretary of State lawfully relying on officials’ analysis and summary of evidence and data— Whether Secretary of State adopting tenable interpretation of international obligations— Whether failing to have regard to material considerations— Whether correctly applying planning policy in light of “net zero” commitments—
Planning Act 2008 (c 29), ss 90(1), 104
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Infrastructure Planning (Examination Procedure) Rules 2010 (SI 2010/103), r 20(2)
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Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972), arts 4, 5