Redcliffe Railway cutting - Court proceedings

Redcliffe Railway cutting possible development - preparations to go to court

The threat of development at the Redcliffe Railway cutting still remains. Our solicitor has written to the land owner in January threatening court action; however the land owner has responded to say they are not going to withdraw their actions, which opens up the possibility of development on the Redcliffe railway cutting.

We, the residents of Barossa Place and Alfred Place, are asking for additional contributions from people - especially those living locally - so we can take the matter further with our solicitor, employ a barrister, and prepare court proceedings against the land owner.

We are incredibly grateful to all of the people who have already donated to this cause. Following the research done by our solicitor late in 2023, we believe we have a strong case, with evidence backing up our position.

If you would like further information, please see the explenation on our previous fund raiser, which has helped to cover our legal fees up to this point. This outlines the specific way that the land owner is trying to keep the site as a valuable development plot (by removing neighbours right to light) and develop the land into a large building, which would be taller than The General and all other houses adjacent.

Many local people will have also seen the recent planning application (January 2024) to fell the tree opposite the Golden Guinea, and this is further indication that the land owner may be trying to develop on the land.

We estimate that the fees for this next stage of legal action would be around £9,600 to employ an experienced barrister to prepare court proceedings. Residents at Alfred Place and Barossa Place have agreed to fund two thirds of the legal costs, so we are looking for the final third of the costs from people locally to take this forwards, and this stands at £3,300 (£3,200 + £100 GoFundMe fees).

We are confident that if we all unite together and contribute towards this legal action, then this would help prevent development from taking place in the railway cutting, in perpetuity. Thank you, and we appreciate your contribution.

To date, Alfred Place and Barossa Place residents have contributed £5,610, and the previous GoFundMe fundraiser contributed £2,679.14 (after fees).

If the land owner withdraws and we recover all of our legal costs (either in court or out of court), or if we are advised not to proceed to court by a barrister (this is unlikely given the strength of the case) then proceeds will instead be donated to the Redcliffe West Residents’ Association, who will use the funds for improvements locally. If a surplus is raised, then this will be held on account for any further litigation on this matter, and if unused, then will again be donated to the Redcliffe West Residents' Association.