CAMPAIGNERS have renewed their battle to stop plans for more than 1,000 new homes in Hampshire countryside.

Botley Parish Action Group (BPAG) has revealed it has taken its appeal back to top judges after its last attempt was thrown out.

Arguments for and against a judicial review into councillors’ decision to allow a 1,400-home development at Boorley Green, near Botley, will now be presented at a hearing at the High Court on May 1.

Last month protesters were dealt a blow in their bid to secure the judicial review after High Court judges failed to uphold their written arguments and said Eastleigh Borough Council’s reasons for granting the development were adequate.

But BPAG has renewed its application, supported by Botley Parish Council, which is listed as an interested party.

However, the pressure group’s costs have already run to £10,000.

This has so far been funded by members, but the group admits it is looking for further funds as the hearing will mean more legal fees.

As reported, councillors gave the controversial plans the go-ahead in February last year amid a mass protest march through Botley and concerns raised about increased traffic and the scale of the project.

Opponents said the development would virtually double the size of Botley.

The group said that the judge had stated permission for the plans was not premature because the council did not have a five-year housing supply and its Local Plan is not yet in place and it was not due to be soon agreed.

Protesters will cite these factors among grounds for their further request. “All three of these failures are Eastleigh Borough Council’s responsibility,” said a spokesperson. “BPAG contend it is immoral, unfair, unbalanced and unlawful for Eastleigh Borough Council to utilise their own failures to legally justify the granting of permission for the largest development in the borough for over 25 years.”

Eastleigh Borough Council leader Keith House said: “BPAG don’t have a case, as the first judge said. “Creating delay in getting on with development on this site achieves is putting at risk more greenfield sites elsewhere in the borough. He said the borough has a five-year land supply now and will have its Local Plan in front of the planning inspectors within a few months.