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Economic Development

HS2 campaigners await court ruling over environmental challenge

Objectors have warned that large areas along the route could be unnecessarily hit by a costly planning blight for an indefinite period

Campaigners waging a legal battle against the Government's - with the latest legal challenge concerning the London-Birmingham section - are due to learn the result of their latest action.

Objectors have warned that large areas along the route could be unnecessarily hit by a costly planning blight for an indefinite period.

They have asked the Court of Appeal to rule that the Government has unlawfully failed to carry out a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) which might help to alleviate problems being caused by the flagship scheme for local people and businesses.

Appeal judges will announce their decision following a hearing last month.

At the hearing, David Elvin QC, for the campaigners, told three judges that his attack was centred on "safeguarding directions" which were made by the Transport Secretary to protect Phase One land from local authorities giving permission for other, conflicting developments.

Mr Elvin, representing the HS2 Action Alliance (HS2AA) and Hillingdon Council in west London - which are both campaigning against the current scheme - said "generous" areas of land extending beyond the route were protected because they might be required for temporary storage of spoil, or for compounds, work accesses or other functions in relation to the project.

The land had been included without any proper debate or assessment of environmental impacts or alternative options, he argued.