Legal challenge launched to quash decision which will see residents evicted from homes

Dozens of elderly people, many of whom ploughed savings into buying a home on Lakeminster Park, near Beverley, were given 18 months to find a new home, following a second public inquiry last year.

But now the owners of Lakeminster Park and resident Alan Coates have launched a legal claim in the High Court to quash planning inspector Diane Lewis’s decision.

Ms Lewis had upheld East Riding Council’s refusal of planning permission for permanent residential occupancy, concluding eviction was not a violation of residents’ human rights.

She claimed alternative accommodation would be available for residents, while accepting that “loss of ownership, with the independence, control, privacy and security that it brings, would be difficult for residents to come to terms with.”

Mr Coates, 69, a retired civil servant and self-employed business assessor, said: “We have asked the High Court to quash the decision of the inspector.

“One or two people have left - several have died - but there is still over 100 people living here.

“The majority of people would want to see this dispute brought to a conclusion.

“It’s been going so long; people need to see an end to the dispute.”

Pete Ashcroft, head of planning and development management at East Riding Council, said: “The council understands an application has been submitted to the High Court and awaits its view in due course.

“In the meantime, the planning inspector’s decision in September 2014 remains in force.”