HEADINGTON resident Martin Young now faces a stark choice in a battle with Oxford City Council against the £132m redevelopment of Oxford Brookes University’s Gipsy Lane campus.

Mr Young must either abandon his case or pay the potentially huge legal bills himself if he loses after a ruling in the High Court.

He has been fighting the council’s decision to back the redevelopment of Oxford Brookes University’s Gipsy Lane campus for nearly two years.

After his attempts to block the plans in the High Court failed, the battle has now been taken to the Court of Appeal.

But after a judge ruled the case was not of “general public importance” yesterday Mr Young has been told he will be liable for the council’s costs if he loses the cases.

Mr Young said: “I believe the council has made a mistake in approving the redevelopment. They approved the shops without giving it full consideration.”

City council lawyers have offered to waive any claim for the current costs if he abandons his appeal in a “spirit of conciliation”.

Mr Young has until 4pm today to decide whether he wants to take up the city council’s offer.

As of last night Mr Young had not made a decision.