Code Students (Nottingham) Limited, R (on the application of) v Nottingham City Council

Facts

The claimant, Code Students (Nottingham) Limited, applied on 5 December 2023 for permission to develop two blocks of purpose-built student accommodation at 51 Glasshouse Street and 1 Cairns Street in Nottingham city centre ("the Code Scheme"), comprising 1,252 studio units in towers of 22 and 29/30 storeys. Nottingham City Council refused permission on 5 December 2025, and an appeal to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government is fixed for 2027. Meanwhile, on 28 August 2025 Vita Nottingham Guildhall Limited applied to convert and extend the Grade II listed former Police and Fire Stations on South Sherwood Street and to erect an adjoining 18-storey block, providing 610 units ("the Guildhall Scheme"). The officer's report recommended approval, and the planning committee resolved to grant permission on 17 December 2025, resolving again on 21 January 2026 when a section 106 agreement could not be secured from the council as owner. By letter of 14 January 2026 the claimant's solicitor complained of inconsistency between the two decisions and sought background documents said to have been withheld. Permission was granted on 29 January 2026. The claimant filed a judicial review claim on 11 March 2026, issued on 13 March 2026, on five grounds. Steyn J refused permission on the papers by order dated 8 May 2026, sealed on 14 May 2026, and the claimant renewed its application orally.