By Richard Tyler
Berwin Leighton, Herbert Smith, Nabarro Nathanson and a contingent of barristers last week began proceedings on what will be the most significant public inquiry of the year.
Legal & General and rival Bracknell Regeneration Trust – a joint venture between Allied London Properties and Schroder Exempt Property Unit Trust -have put forward planning applications for the proposed regeneration of Bracknell town centre.
The two sides have now been called to present their cases to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) after two years of consideration by the local borough council. The inquiry is scheduled to end in June.
The launch of the Bracknell inquiry follows the recent adjournment of the four-year hearing into the proposed £2bn construction of Heathrow Terminal Five – an inquiry that involved 33 lawyers, including 12 QCs, at a cost of £80m.
Legal & General has instructed Berwin Leighton. Planning partner Tim Hellier is leading its team and he has instructed Michael FitzGerald QC of 2 Mitre Court Buildings and junior Timothy Corner of 4-5 Gray's Inn Square.
Hellier's team is calling 11 witnesses to cover everything from planning policy, transport and retail evidence to urban design issues. He said the inquiry would test government commitment to urban regeneration as opposed to out of town developments like the recently opened Bluewater.
Legal & General's proposals centre on a £500m investment, which will include an integrated sustainable transport system for the town.
Hellier described Legal & General as "an excellent client with real vision" and added "we are very confident in the outcome".
Bracknell Regeneration Trust has turned to Herbert Smith's Sophie Quayle to argue its case. Quayle has instructed Keith Lindblom QC and junior Euan Borrows of 2 Harcourt Buildings.
Property companies Hammerson UK Properties and Argyle will also submit evidence to argue that their investments in nearby Reading and Camberley respectively will be affected by the proposals.
Hammerson UK Properties is being advised by senior planning associate Kate Creer of Nabarros and represented by Lionel Read QC and junior Rhodri Price Lewis of 1 Serjeants' Inn.
Creer is calling two witnesses and will argue that the scale of the redevelopment is contrary to existing government guidance and that the transport proposals are not sustainable.
Creer said: "We fully support the redevelopment of Bracknell town centre, but want the issues fully explored."
Argyle has chosen not to instruct a law firm. Instead the company's planning consultants Rodger Tym have directly instructed Clive Newberry QC of 4-5 Gray's Inn Square.
Bracknell Borough Council's in-house legal team has instructed Duncan Ousley of 4-5 Gray's Inn Square and junior Morag Ellis of 2-3 Gray's Inn Square.