A High Court judge has rejected a legal challenge brought by parents aiming to prevent the closure of a well-used nursery in Islington. The decision leaves the council to manage the short-term replacement of services at the Paradise Park site and take on responsibility for several adventure playgrounds previously run by a local charity.
Why the case reached court
Islington Play Association (IPA) had been responsible for operating four adventure playgrounds and a nursery under contract with Islington Council. In February the charity surrendered its contract early amid reported financial difficulties. Parents and campaigners protested the move and sought a judicial review arguing the borough had failed in its statutory duty to ensure there was sufficient childcare provision for local families.
Court ruling and council response
Mrs Justice Eady dismissed the judicial review application, describing it as without merit and finding no evidence the council acted other than in good faith. The judge also ordered the claimants to pay the council’s legal costs.
“There is nothing to suggest [the council’s] decision was made otherwise than in good faith,”
Following the ruling, Islington Council confirmed it will provide interim childcare at the Paradise Park site over the summer and said it will take responsibility for the playgrounds and facilities that had been at risk because of IPA’s financial position. The council describes this as an interim arrangement while it seeks a new long-term provider.
Impact on families and next steps
Parents who supported the legal bid warned of the closure’s consequences for the community, saying the sudden loss of provision would be devastating, particularly where places were oversubscribed. On behalf of the parents, one campaigner said they accepted the court’s ruling but remained concerned about the short notice given for the closure and the lack of accountability from the charity’s management.
- Legal outcome: Judicial review dismissed by Mrs Justice Eady.
- Council action: Interim childcare at Paradise Park; council to assume control of playgrounds and facilities.
- Costs: Claimants ordered to pay council legal fees of £36,276.50.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Judicial decision | Application dismissed |
| Council interim measures | Provide childcare at Paradise Park; take over playgrounds |
| Legal costs awarded | £36,276.50 to council |
The ruling leaves open immediate operational questions: how long the council will run the sites, the timetable for finding new providers, and how existing users will be accommodated while arrangements are made. Parents and campaigners will now focus on securing continuity of provision and clarity about the council’s plans for long-term management of the playgrounds and the nursery places that were affected.
Islington Council maintains its commitment to ensure families are supported over the summer and beyond while it seeks a sustainable solution. The community awaits further detail from the authority about how it will manage the transfer of services and whether those arrangements will preserve the play and childcare provision families relied on.
