Norfolk-based environmental consultant Dr Andrew Boswell, from green group Climate Emergency Planning and Policy (CEPP), has challenged a ruling by the High Court to grant planning permission to the A47 Blofield to North Burlingham scheme.
Dr Boswell said: “In making his decision, Grant Shapps failed to properly follow environmental regulations for assessing carbon emissions from this A47 scheme with those from other large roads planned for the Norwich area.
“I am taking this case because the same error in assessing carbon is being made on schemes around the country: my case could help ensure the law is followed in making climate impact assessments on road schemes around the UK.”
The case could impact environmental policy and law for the whole of the UK. With this in mind, Dr Boswell will be represented by environmental law firm Richard Buxton Solicitors.
The firm claims to have appointed counsel based on experience with similar cases, such as the recent Net Zero Strategy incident where the UK government was found to have acted unlawfully.
Four large-scale road building projects are planned for Norwich by 2025. Boswell claims that, if built, these roads would damage key wildlife habitats, generate more traffic and thus encourage further development projects.
