Fulham's plans given the go-ahead

Fulham were given the green light by three Appeal Court judges today for the redevelopment of their Craven Cottage ground.

A bid by local residents to challenge the Government's refusal to hold a public inquiry into the £70million plans for a 30,000 all-seat stadium was thrown out.

The court upheld the ruling of a High Court judge in January that there had been no procedural unfairness and no breach of the human rights of the local residents, who objected to a five-storey block of 16 flats and a riverside walk incorporated into the plans.

"Whatever sympathy one may feel for them (the residents) in the face of this impending development, they have failed to establish any basis for a legal challenge," said Lord Justice Simon Brown.

The residents' claim for a judicial review of the Environment Secretary's decision not to hold a public inquiry, after the plans were approved by Hammersmith and Fulham Council, was rejected by Mr Justice Collins, who said the minister had not been unfair and was not in breach of the Human Rights Act. The appeal judges agreed.

The 11 claimants, who all live near the ground, were ordered to pay legal costs estimated at £50,000 and were refused permission to appeal to the House of Lords. Preliminary work on the site can now begin.