Bid to challenge Gateway Road

The high court challenge is being brought by Gabriel Carlyle who claims the planning committee failed to take account of breaches of national and EU laws on air pollution that would be caused by the project.

Mr Carlyle also claims the committee failed to take account of the Habitats Directive on protected species; failed to consider alternatives to the road; and failed to take account of the cumulative effect of the road and business park.

In addition, it states that the council ‘failed entirely to consider the increase of greenhouse gas emissions that will arise from the proposal and so is contrary to any efforts the UK may be taking to tackle climate change’.

The case, which is being conducted by lawyers from Richard Buxton, a specialist environmental and public law firm, should be heard at the High Court sometime between May and July. Permission for the Queensway Gateway road was granted in February despite hundreds of objections.

Mr Carlyle said: “At a time when the world is facing catastrophic climate, it is utterly irresponsible to be building new roads and destroying green spaces. If this road is built, it will cause an increase in CO2 emissions, serious air pollution and great harm to protected species.

“This legal challenge aims to compel the council to reconsider this damaging waste of public money before it is too late.”

Many see the road as a way of alleviating traffic in Battle.