Environmental groups have lost their battle for a judicial review into Dorset County Council’s planning approval for construction of the £84.4M Weymouth relief road.
The High Court has rejected an application from Transport 2000 and the Campaign to Protect Rural England which claimed the council had failed to consider planning policy restricting development in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty when it gave planning permission for the road (Surveyor, 12 July).
Mr Justice Collins said it was clear the claimants would not succeed, and concluded that the council had carefully considered all views and had not acted unlawfully in granting planning permission for the scheme He acknowledged that building the road would inevitably impact on the immediate area, but he was satisfied the road would bring wider overall benefits within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Dorset’s cabinet member for strategic planning and transportation, Cllr Geoff Brierley, said: ‘I am delighted at this outcome. We were confident that there was no fault in the way we dealt with the application, and the judge has upheld that view.
‘We have the support of many local residents and businesses, who are keen that we tackle congestion on the A354. This is particularly important as Weymouth and Portland prepare to host sailing events of the London 2012 Olympic Games.'
However, Rebecca Lush, of Transport 2000, said: ‘What is the point in creating policies and laws to protect the environment if we allow them to be trampled on? However, the judge clearly recognised the public interest of this case.
‘This does not mean the road will go ahead, because the road scheme costs have increased dramatically, and there is no guarantee the Government will fund this increase. We will now prepare for the forthcoming public inquiry.’
An inquiry is due to start on 6 November into the compulsory purchase orders for land along the proposed route, and is expected to take three weeks.
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