City firm Kendall Freeman has launched legal action to prevent the development of offices that it claims will interfere with its right to light.

The firm is seeking an injunction against Land Securities' New Street Square redevelopment in EC4 - which backs on to its offices on Fetter Lane - into four buildings offering 61,850 sq m of office accommodation and 2,285 sq m of retail space.


In April, the City Corporation awarded 'minded to grant' planning consent after the plan was changed from an original intention to construct a single massive building.


Kendall Freeman managing partner Laurence Harris said the firm - whose predecessor, DJ Freeman, had overflow offices in one of the current buildings on the site - argues that the development will 'grossly interfere' with its right to light. In the event of the injunction not being granted, Kendall Freeman is seeking unlimited damages.


The freeholder of Kendall Freeman's offices is also reported to be seeking an injunction.


The firm has instructed Wragge & Co to act.


A Land Securities spokeswoman said right to light issues are 'a pretty standard feature' of such developments and that Kendall Freeman's objection is 'nothing out of the ordinary'.