‘David can win against Goliath’ says Stokey Local ahead of judicial review

The Royal Courts of Justice. Photograph: Flickr/Creative Commons/Anthony Majanlahti

A legal bid to challenge Hackney Council’s decision to give the go-ahead for a large new Sainsbury’s store to open in Stoke Newington will be heard at the High Court on 19 May.

Nick Perry from campaign group Stokey Local is also hoping to bring a second legal challenge (styled JR2) against Hackney Council for granting permission for the controversial scheme at Wilmer Place, which will also include 53 homes.

The group claims the development is “inappropriate” and will “overshadow and adversely affect the wildlife of Abney Park Cemetery as well as undermine the character of Stoke Newington, and force some local businesses to the wall.”

Stokey Local’s latest email to supporters states: “The first judicial review (JR1) will be heard on 19 May at the High Court in the Strand.

“Technically, JR2 still has some ‘hoops’ to jump through before it can be heard, but we are relatively confident that both cases will be fully heard on 19 May.

“We have the odds stacked against us, as we have to prove that the council’s decision was unlawful, but Nick has a good legal team working on the case and we know that every now and then a determined David can win against Goliath.”

Newmark Properties, the developer behind the Sainsbury’s scheme, says the new supermarket will bring more “competitiveness and choice”.