A REVIEW has been ordered after a leading judge ruled that a council acted unlawfully over a multi-million pound housing development.

Durham County Council has earmarked green belt land at Sniperley Park for around 2,500 new houses, plus shops and facilities, as part of its economic masterplan, the County Durham Plan.

But a High Court judge has said its decision to join a consortium to dispose of the land was flawed because the cabinet was not given the information necessary to order such a move.

Mr Justice Cranston granted a judicial review by Galaxy Land, part of a rival consortium for promoting the land, on the northern outskirts of Durham City, for development.

The council has now ordered a review of its processes; however it insists the verdict in no way impacts on the delivery of the scheme.

All sides are now awaiting the findings of Harold Stephens, a planning inspector who in the autumn led a major public inquiry into whether the County Durham Plan is sound. Mr Stephens’ initial report is expected next month.

The council owned 37.87 acres of the site, including a recycling centre, school playing fields and a nature area.

Stuart Timmiss, the council’s head of planning and assets, said: “The judgement required officers to have included more information in the cabinet report so members could make their decision, and to advertise the sale of the playing fields ahead of their inclusion in the LLP (limited liability partnership). The council will therefore review its processes in respect of this decision.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Mark Wilkes, whose ward includes Sniperley, accused the council of failing to act in an open and transparent manner and ignoring the democratic process and called on the authority to apologise and withdraw from the consortium.

At today’s (Wednesday, January 21) full council meeting, Labour cabinet member Neil Foster said he had ordered a full review, which would report to cabinet, and the council had to consider its next steps carefully; but the judgement did not undermine the project.

The authority had been aware of the challenge since June, he said, but had not put the information in the public domain to avoid speculation.

Cllr Foster said he was happy to meet local councillors to discuss the implications of the judgement.