A BUSINESSMAN who objects to Oxford University’s controversial new building in Jericho has taken his fight to the High Court.

David Freud, pictured, is fighting Oxford City Council’s decision to give the Blavatnik School of Government building in Walton Street – which would be next to his bar in a former church – planning permission earlier this year.

His bid for a judicial review was rejected by a High Court judge reviewing the case in chambers but he has now renewed his application which means it will be decided at a hearing in London.

Mr Freud claims the council acted with bias and that several of the city councillors who made the decision had a conflict of interest in that they are either employed by the university or were former students.

But High Court judge Alice Robinson rejected the claims saying there was no evidence for them.

Louisa Dean, a spokesman for the city council, said: “Mr Freud is entitled to renew his request for permission to judicially review the council’s decision. The High Court has already refused to give permission once.

“The council will continue to defend the proceedings and in our view it is likely that permission will be refused again.”

The Oxford Mail asked Mr Freud and the Blavatnik School of Government to comment but they both declined.