Architectural practice Aedas has been told it will not face corporate manslaughter charges after a man was killed by a lorry next to the architect’s Bridgewater Place scheme in Leeds.

Edward Slaney was crushed by the wagon which overturned in high winds, believed to have been exacerbated by a wind tunnel effect created by the 32-storey building.

An inquest into Slaney’s death was halted by coroner Melanie Williamson in February with the case passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to decide whether the developer, architect or council should be charged with corporate manslaughter.

But this week a CPS spokesman told BD that it had advised against bringing any charges.

“The CPS has considered the papers sent by the coroner and has advised the police and coroner on the relevant law in this matter,” he said. “The decision on whether or not to re-open an investigation is a matter for the police.”

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police confirmed no action would be taken. “After the death of Dr Edward Slaney in Leeds last year a thorough and detailed investigation into the exact circumstances of the incident was carried out,” he said.

“The matter was referred by the coroner to the CPS who reviewed the evidence to see if a criminal investigation was merited. The advice from the CPS was that an investigation was not merited and we have accepted this decision.”

Strong winds have been reported around Bridgewater Place since it opened in 2007, one of a number of problems to plague the project (see box).

The inquest into Slaney’s death heard that the building had created a wind tunnel effect in the surrounding streets.

Several wind-related incidents have been reported in the area since the building was completed. At one stage Aedas was reported to be considering installing “fins” at the building to mitigate its effects.

A spokesman for Leeds City Council said it had not yet been made aware of the CPS’s advice. Aedas and the building’s developer Landmark St James declined to comment.

A troubled tower

Nicknamed the Dalek, Bridgewater Place is Yorkshire’s tallest building. But the 32-storey tower has been hit by problems. It was subject to a series of redesigns and

delays before construction even started and was completed a year behind schedule.

Main contractor Bovis Lend Lease lost around ￡15 million on the project and a dispute broke out with subcontractor Exterior Profiles over payments. The building was nominated for the Carbuncle Cup in 2008.