THE Campaign to Protect Rural England has confirmed today it wants to fight the planning permission given to the Castle Mill student blocks in the High Court.
Oxford City Council granted the University of Oxford planning permission for the accommodation in Roger Dudman Way in February last year but it then drew criticism when users and neighbours of Port Meadows realised how large the buildings were.
CPRE Oxfordshire chairman Brian Wood said today: “This development has had a devastating impact on the historic landscape of Port Meadow.
“Legal advice we have received suggests that, however unintentionally, the city council may have acted unlawfully at key moments in this planning process.
“With reluctance, CPRE Oxfordshire has therefore instructed a solicitor to seek a judicial review of the planning decision on our behalf.”
The organisation said it now needed to raise funds for its challenge.
Oxford City Council spokesman Louisa Dean said: “We have reviewed the claims made by Oxfordshire CPRE and believe that these are unfounded. The council will defend the legal action, if it is pursued.”
The city council has itself launched a bid to try to convince the university to lower the height of the larger buildings.
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