A LEGAL bid to block a master plan for the expansion of Oxford has been blown out of the water by a top judge.

North Oxford resident Sean Feeney challenged the Town Hall’s core strategy, which sets out sites for 8,000 homes and businesses with 3,000 jobs.

The 45-year-old, of Victoria Road, took his challenge to the High Court, which yesterday heard there was nothing unlawful about the city council’s ideas in principal.

Last night Oxford City Council said it was always confident its core strategy was lawful and welcomed the decision.

Meanwhile, Mr Feeney was pondering whether to appeal the verdict.

He said: “It is my opinion that this is an unlawful plan. I think the money is well spent on clarifying the law. I will be considering very carefully whether I have grounds for an appeal. ”

Mr Feeney was opposed to the proposal for a Northern Gateway business park, close to Pear Tree roundabout and the northern end of Port Meadow.

He tried to argue at the High Court that Oxford City Council had failed to carry out specific checks under European environmental laws.

The habitats directive states councils must assess the impact of proposed developments on important wildlife areas.

And the former Pergamon Press worker claimed an assessment has not been carried out for Port Meadow, which is a designated special area of conservation.

But yesterday High Court Judge Stephen Morris QC stopped Mr Feeney’s challenge in its tracks.

He dismissed the allegations and ruled Mr Feeney case had “no real prospect of success”, as the city council’s plans were not unlawful in principal.

Judge Morris also refused to refer the case to the European Court of Justice.

He said: “Mr Feeney’s claims in this action have no real prospect of success and no ‘other compelling reason’ for a trial has been advanced.”

Jeremy Thomas, head of law and Governance at Oxford City Council, said legal costs incurred by defending Mr Feeney’s challenge amount to around £20,000 of taxpayers’ money.

He said: “The council is pleased its application to strike out the proceedings brought by Mr Feeney has been successful.

“The council was always confident that the adoption of its core strategy was lawful and the decision of the High Court to summarily dismiss the challenge vindicates that confidence.”

Councillor Ed Turner said it was time Mr Feeney “take the hint”.

He added: “This has cost the public purse a considerable amount of money and has taken up a lot of time for a lot of people.

“Perhaps Mr Feeney would be better off finding a better use of his time than launching ill fated legal challenges.”

Mr Feeney, who was on incapacity benefit due to chronic repetitive strain injury and back pain, prepared his own case and represented himself.

He was covered by a protective costs order and so will not have to pay the council’s legal costs of the High Court hearing.

Last night he said he may enter into conversation with a top environmental lawyer in the hope an appeal can be launched over the next 21 days.