Tesco launches £1m claim against BLP

City firm Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) is being sued by Tesco over its handling of the supermarket group’s plans to build a superstore near Liverpool.

The supermarket group is claiming nearly £1m from BLP for its handling of the acquisition of a package of land from John Deveney in 1999.

Tesco claims it instructed BLP to stop Deveney from applying for planning permission to build another superstore on a nearby site. However, in 2002 Deveney received permission to build on the land he kept.

As a result, a subsequent Tesco’s application was blocked and the supermarket chain claims the land it paid £850,000 for in 1999 may now be worth only a fraction of that.

In a statement BLP said that its relationship with Tesco remains strong and the firm continues to advise Tesco on a broad range of activities, including store developments and extensions.

BLP said: “Tesco’s claim against the firm relates to a site, which was acquired in 1999. BLP advises Tescos on a large number of site transactions each year. The matter has been referred to our insurers, who are reviewing the position.”