Interim costs awarded to PD Ports and rights of access confirmed in latest High Court hearing with South Tees Development Corporation and Teesworks Limited

Yesterday’s hearing has confirmed PD Ports’ rights of access to and from the three key areas of contention, including to South Gare for all purposes.

We are grateful for the court’s acknowledgement that PD Ports was the successful party in this litigation and that a substantial interim payment be made in our favour, pending a detailed assessment of the full cost award owed to PD Ports.

We estimate the interim payment alone may be in excess of £1.2m.

Michael McConnell, Group Property Director, commented: “The court has affirmed that we were forced into unnecessary court action which was not of our choosing.

“The judgment underlines that the decision by South Tees Development Corporation and Teesworks decision to press ahead with legal action – despite the weight of evidence in PD Ports’ favour and our repeated offers of a flexible solution to entirely accommodate their development needs – was entirely unnecessary.

“Contrary to statements made at a recent STDC board meeting, PD Ports made numerous attempts to work with STDC and Teesworks prior to the court action and repeatedly offered, at nil cost, the ability to have our historic prescriptive rights of access across STDC land realigned in order to enable any proposed commercial development.

“That STDC, a public body with responsibility for the economic regeneration of Teesside, would choose to persist with legal action, backed by Teesworks Limited, against PD Ports – the largest private employer and biggest driver of inward investment in the region which should be viewed as a strategic partner - is disappointing and frustrating. We hope this now draws a line under this matter.

“We will continue to take a positive approach, supporting and encouraging the delivery of high-quality jobs and inward investment to our region.”