Hackney: High Court case over closure of nurseries dropped

Under the council’s plans, Oldhill children’s centre in Clapton and Hillside in Stamford Hill were also facing a proposed reduction to term-time-only childcare services.

Families with children at the affected nurseries instructed solicitors to challenge Hackney Council’s proposals to close the services.

The group, known as “Save Hackney Children’s Centres”, raised money via a crowdfunding website and were given legal aid.

Ahead of a final hearing at the High Court, the council accepted its “Children’s Centre Childcare Consultation” conducted between 31 January and 24 April 2024 was “unlawful”.

Following the council’s decision to drop the case, the judge ordered it must pay the campaigners’ legal fees.