A round-up of writs in the Technology and Construction Court

Arun District Council vs Hargreaves

Arun District Council is suing four companies over their alleged failure to provide affordable housing at a residential schemes in Angmering, West Sussex. The council says the housing was a condition for granting planning permission for the 27.4 ha development, and it is seeking an injunction to compel Hargreaves Securities, Hargreaves Homes, Hargreaves Investment Properties, and Hargreaves Residential Developments to build it.

Bookham Technology vs Bovis Homes

Bovis Homes is facing a legal battle over a “ransom” strip of land that surrounds a 25 acre site. Bookham Technology plc paid Bovis £7.75 for the site in Haydon Wick, Swindon, in 2000, and had an option to buy the one metre wide strip for £1. Bookham says solicitors for Bovis have declined to release the transfer. Bookham is suing Bovis requiring the transfer of land and damages for breach of agreement.

G Pearce Engineering vs Declan McCarthy

Administrators of G Pearce Civil Engineering are suing director Declan McCarthy for more than £125,000. After going into administration in October 2003, G Pearce agreed to sell some assets to London Irish Venture Capital, where McCarthy was also a director. London Irish agreed to pay £375,001 for the assets but paid only £143,001 then went into administration. McCarthy gave a personal guarantee for London Irish up to £125,000, but has not paid.