Judges quash legal challenge over sale of Hendon FC site (From Times Series)

Judges quash legal challenge over sale of Hendon FC site by Barnet Council

5:57pm Wednesday 27th February 2013 in News By Chris Hewett

Hendon FC’s former home will be sold to developers after a legal challenge opposing the move was quashed by a High Court judge.

Barnet Council agreed to sell the 4.4 acre site to developers Montclare following a tendering process last year.

But a Jewish school that also bid to take over the Claremont Road site challenged the decision, claiming the authority had not fulfilled its legal duty to select the best available offer.

Judges imposed an injunction preventing the sale of the land until the outcome of a judicial review.

And on Friday, a High Court judge delivered his verdict in favour of the local authority.

Cabinet members voted in August to sell to Montclare ahead of rival bidders from the London Jewish Girls School, which was looking for a new school site.

Montclare tabled an offer of £2.8million and proposed to build in the region of 100 new homes – a development that will now go ahead pending planning approval.

More than 500 supporters of the Jewish school’s bid attended the cabinet resources committee meeting last February to see members hand the sale to Montclare.

Councillor Daniel Thomas, cabinet member for resources, said in a statement: “I am delighted. It demonstrates that not only do we focus on the right outcomes for our residents, but that we invest in getting the process of decision making right as well.”