Plans to extend the East London Line could be at risk after it was ruled London Underground (LU) needs new planning permits to continue work on the project.

Tower Hamlets Council today released a decision saying the historic Bishopsgate Goods Yard constitutes one structure, in legal terms, which means LU will have to reapply for planning permission on the East London Line Extension (ELLE) project.

LU has previously said further delays to the project could destroy chances of line extension, due to be completed in 2006, going ahead.

The new track, linking the northern end of the line with Highbury, would pass through the historic Bishopsgate goods yard, which has been at the centre of the furore over planning permission.

A railway heritage group challenged LU's existing planning permission to destroy part of the yard, and last November a High Court judge instructed Tower Hamlets and Hackney Borough Councils should to rule as to whether the yard was one structure or not.

Owen Whalley, Tower Hamlets' head of planning, said planners spent weeks examining documents, researching legal rulings, and inspecting the yards.

"It became clear during this time that the goods yards should be classed as one building," he said.

This was because of the former function and use of the goods yard as a handling and forwarding area for freight, and because of the physical links, such as brick vaults, between various parts of the yard.

The yard includes the 163-year-old Braithwaite Viaduct, which was badly damaged by fire in 1964 but is one of the oldest such structures in the UK.

London Underground still wanted to build the ELLE, a spokesman told This is Local London.

Tower Hamlets have invited LU to apply for planning permission, and has seven days to confirm it will do so.

January 27, 2003 16:00