Walker Morris advises on successful High Court challenge enabling Great Jackson Street redevelopment to proceed
19th February 2026
The Real Estate Litigation team at Walker Morris has acted in the High Court case of Great Jackson Street Estates Limited v Manchester City Council, successfully challenging the Council’s refusal to grant consent for the demolition of two buildings under the terms of the Lease.
This successful challenge ensures that planning consent for the redevelopment of two 56‑storey towers can now be implemented.
The proceedings were brought after Manchester City Council, as landlord, refused to grant the consent required under an existing lease for demolition works, which form a critical first step in the redevelopment. The High Court accepted that the refusal was unlawful, enabling the regeneration project, part of the wider Great Jackson Street strategic framework, to progress.
The case highlighted the need for landlords and public authorities to exercise caution when refusing consent to alterations, particularly in complex urban regeneration projects that involve overlapping planning and property law considerations. The judgment emphasises how a refusal of consent can have far-reaching commercial and practical consequences, including jeopardising the delivery of major schemes that have planning permission.
From a legal perspective, the case further reinforces the importance of landlords, developers and public authorities adopting a careful, well-reasoned approach when dealing with applications for consent.
Real Estate and Housing Litigation, Partner Martin McKeague led the Walker Morris team, with support from David Manda (Director).
Discussing the challenge, Martin McKeague commented: “This case illustrates the complexities we regularly see in large regeneration projects, where planning and property considerations overlap, and we are pleased to have supported our client in ensuring that this important project can now progress.”
