Oxford City Council plans for a mammoth Northern Gateway development hit the High Court yesterday.

The Town Hall’s blueprint for development over the next 15 years would provide 8,000 homes and 3,000 jobs.

However, one man has waged battle with the council and claimed it has not carried out sufficient environmental impact studies.

Sean Feeney is worried the strategic plans pose a threat to the city’s unspoilt and wildlife-rich meadows.

But deputy High Court Judge Stephen Morris QC stopped Mr Feeney in his tracks yesterday and ruled his case had no real prospect of success.

And so the council will push on with its plan, even though Mr Feeney last night suggested he was still mulling an appeal.

It has so far cost the council £20,000 in legal fees to deal with the High Court challenge.

This development is of huge importance to the future of the city. We need the homes, we need the jobs. But it is important it is done in the right way – hence Mr Feeney’s appeal.

If anything, yesterday’s high court hearing went some way to show the city council is playing by the rule book.