Judge Delays Ruling on Abolition of Housing Targets

Judicial review of Pickles’ decision to scrap regional strategies held up to allow late submissions. The High Court carrying out a judicial review of the communities secretary’s decision to scrap regional spatial strategies has delayed its decision for at least a fortnight. Mr Justice Sales told Cala Homes, the Edinburgh housebuilder that brought the action, that it would be at least two weeks before he made a judgment. This follows the submission of more evidence by lawyers acting for the communities department. Cala’s lawyers may also submit more information in response. Cala Homes contends that the decision by Eric Pickles in June to scrap the regional planning tier, which set housing targets for local authorities, required primary legislation and therefore was beyond his powers. Read more on the Building website.