CAMPAIGNERS challenging student accommodation blocks built next to Port Meadow will get the chance to put their case to a judge in October.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England wants a judicial review held into Oxford University’s Castle Mill scheme on Roger Dudman Way, which it says has ruined historic views and is built on contaminated land.

The development was granted planning permission by Oxford City Council’s West Area Committee in February 2012. The scheme met with widespread opposition as building advanced.

Nine months of campaigning, Freedom of Information requests and threats of legal action culminated in the council agreeing to an independent review into how the development secured planning approval.

The CPRE has been told that a hearing will be held on October 23 at the High Court in Birmingham.

But fears persist it could be months before the issue is settled, with the judge indicating he may await the outcome of a current legal case, involving the lawfulness of a salad packaging plant in Hampshire.

It is understood Mr Justice Hickinbottom will consider whether a decision on Castle Mill should be put on hold pending the outcome of the planning appeal.

Helen Marshall, director of CPRE Oxfordshire, said: “We are delighted the court is taking the issues we have raised seriously.”

Oxford University spokesman Matt Pickles said: “The university will be making representations at the interim hearing in October on the procedural issues.”

Oxford City Council spokesman Louisa Dean said: “The hearing in October is a permission hearing to enable the court to decide whether the procedural challenges raised by CPRE amount to something arguable.”