Post by Cantankerous Gas on Feb 9, 2015 14:41:02 GMT
One of the country’s top judges at London’s High Court today fast-tracked a key court hearing in Bristol Rovers' plans to build a new stadium and sell the Memorial Ground to Sainsbury’s.
Mr Justice Roth scheduled the seven day hearing to begin between May 11 and 15 after being told that it is vital for the club to know by June whether it can hold supermarket giants, Sainsbury's, to a £30m deal to buy the current stadium.
At the end of the May hearing, the judge will almost certainly reserve judgment to give a written decision, probably in June.
However, in view of the urgency of the matter he could give an off the cuff decision immediately at the end of the legal argument and then give his reasons in writing at a later date.
Rovers – whose lawyer David Matthias QC told the court - were currently "in the doldrums" in the Conference Premier following relegation from the Football League - seek to boost their fortunes by leaving the 12,000 capacity Memorial Stadium and moving to a new 21,700 all-seater stadium near the University of the West of England in Stoke Gifford.
However, Mr Mathias said that the June date was important for keeping the University on board with the scheme.
There have been complications over plans for a shared car park used by the University during the week, and the stadium on match days, he said.
He told the court that it was felt that, if a result was known by June, it was likely that the University would "bear with us".
In addition to seeking to hold Sainsbury’s to the deal the club also seeks damages for alleged breach of agreement by Sainsbury's. However, in respect of the latter part of their claim any compensation would have to be assessed at a second trial if the club are successful at the May hearing.
Sainsbury's say that planning conditions were not met by a cut-off date last year, and so they were entitled to terminate the deal which was to buy the Memorial Stadium for just short of £30m.
They seek a declaration from the court that the contract with the club is at an end - which would come as a devastating blow to Rovers' hopes of completing the move.
Sainsbury's lawyer Mark Wonnacott QC agreed with the club that it was desirable that the hearing should be fast-tracked.
He told the judge: "If we're stuck with this contract it's as much in our interest to know that quickly as it is the club's."
Mr Justice Roth scheduled the seven day hearing to begin between May 11 and 15 after being told that it is vital for the club to know by June whether it can hold supermarket giants, Sainsbury's, to a £30m deal to buy the current stadium.
At the end of the May hearing, the judge will almost certainly reserve judgment to give a written decision, probably in June.
However, in view of the urgency of the matter he could give an off the cuff decision immediately at the end of the legal argument and then give his reasons in writing at a later date.
Rovers – whose lawyer David Matthias QC told the court - were currently "in the doldrums" in the Conference Premier following relegation from the Football League - seek to boost their fortunes by leaving the 12,000 capacity Memorial Stadium and moving to a new 21,700 all-seater stadium near the University of the West of England in Stoke Gifford.
However, Mr Mathias said that the June date was important for keeping the University on board with the scheme.
There have been complications over plans for a shared car park used by the University during the week, and the stadium on match days, he said.
He told the court that it was felt that, if a result was known by June, it was likely that the University would "bear with us".
In addition to seeking to hold Sainsbury’s to the deal the club also seeks damages for alleged breach of agreement by Sainsbury's. However, in respect of the latter part of their claim any compensation would have to be assessed at a second trial if the club are successful at the May hearing.
Sainsbury's say that planning conditions were not met by a cut-off date last year, and so they were entitled to terminate the deal which was to buy the Memorial Stadium for just short of £30m.
They seek a declaration from the court that the contract with the club is at an end - which would come as a devastating blow to Rovers' hopes of completing the move.
Sainsbury's lawyer Mark Wonnacott QC agreed with the club that it was desirable that the hearing should be fast-tracked.
He told the judge: "If we're stuck with this contract it's as much in our interest to know that quickly as it is the club's."
