Application for hotel extension review dismissed

Campaigners whose application for a judicial review on a hotel extension has been dismissed say they are "disappointed" with the decision.

A High Court judge refused Green Belt Watch Limited's application for a judicial review relating to the Fairmont Windsor Park Hotel.

A planning application was granted in March for a previously-built extension to the five-star hotel, owned by Arora Group.

Arora Group is owned by businessman and Conservative Party donor Surinder Arora, and the hotel was the scene of post-Brexit negotiations in 2023.

The application for a judicial review was dismissed on all five counts.

A spokesperson for Green Belt Watch claimed the group had brought the application "to protect the whole of the London Metropolitan green belt from unscrupulous developers".

They added: "We are highly disappointed not to be able to bring our evidence to the court."

Mr Arora said: "We are pleased with the court’s decision to dismiss this case, confirming there are no grounds for a judicial review.

"The right decision has been made with the court ruling that accurate planning advice and procedure has been followed by Runnymede Borough Council."

He said the costs also awarded by the court would be donated to a local cause in Englefield Green.

A current application for treehouses which have already been built at the hotel is open to public comments until 3 December.

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