R (Doncaster MBC) v Peel L & P Investments [2022] EWHC 3060 (Admin)

Today, Fordham J handed down a judgment refusing Doncaster MBC permission to judicially review the decision of Doncaster Sheffield Airport Limited (“DSAL”) to close Doncaster Sheffield Airport. The judge concluded, among other things, that (1) in the context of this airport closure, waiting until 5 weeks after the decision to launch a JR was “on the outer limits of promptness”, (2) it was arguable that DSAL’s decision would be amenable to JR, but (3) the grounds on which JR was sought were unarguable and so (4) Doncaster MBC’s application for interim relief to prevent closure of the airport was also dismissed. The claim was launched on 2^nd November, with judgment handed down today (1^st December). Although it was a permission decision, the Judge has given permission for the judgment to be cited in other cases. James Maurici KC and Jacqueline Lean appeared for the Claimant, Doncaster MBC, instructed by Howard Bassford, Jonathan Blundon and Peter Sequeira at DLA Piper LLP. John Litton KC and Nick Grant appeared for the Respondent Doncaster Sheffield Airport Ltd, instructed by David Holland, Jason Blakey and Prew Lumley at Squire Patton Boggs LLP. The judgment is available here.