High Court judge grants permission for judicial review challenge over Oxford-Cambridge Expressway

A High Court judge has given the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) permission to bring a judicial review claim against the government regarding the Oxford to Cambridge Expressway.

The trust, which had been refused permission on the papers in January, is seeking to challenge the government’s failure to commission a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) or a Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) as part of the process of selecting a ‘Growth Corridor’ (within which the Expressway and associated housing will be built).

Matthew Stanton, Head of Planning, Policy and Advocacy, at Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust, said: “We are so pleased with this decision surrounding the government’s proposed corridor for the Oxford-Cambridge Expressway. We were forced to bring legal proceedings because the government has completely ignored European law, which requires a Strategic Environmental Assessment for schemes that impact on the environment such as this.

“[This] shows us that the government has a case to answer and we look forward to fighting for wildlife at the full hearing.”

Leigh Day solicitor Tom Short, who is advising BBOWT, said: “The court has agreed with our client that there is an arguable case to be heard and we look forward to a substantive hearing of the important issues raised. BBOWT believes that the Government has failed to properly consider at an early stage the environmental consequences of a major infrastructure project.

“Although a public consultation is due to take place, the Government has missed a key opportunity to listen to the public and environmental organisations and ensure that their concerns are taken into account early in the decision-making process. By ignoring concerns and refusing to undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment key stakeholders and members of the public have been alienated from the process.”