THE Government has given Hillingdon Council the green light to launch a judicial review into the approval of a Tesco store in Harefield.
An independent planning inspector approved the Tesco store in Rickmansworth Road, Harefield in late May.
Hillingdon Council, whose councillors unanimously rejected permission for the store four times, decided to take up their option to appeal that decision.
Last week they sent a 'letter of action' to the secretary of state, setting out their arguments, and why they felt the decision was incorrect.
This week they heard back, that they have a legitimate case, and can launch a taxpayer funded judicial review, to attempt to block the store.
The majority of residents in Harefield are set against Tesco, arguing it will cause many of their high street shops to cease trading, also citing planning reasons, that the store, postioned at the site of a crossroads, is too constrained.
Shoppers in Harefield can access nearby Tesco stores in Ruislip, Rickmansworth, and Ickenham.
Atul Sodha, of the lead campaigners, who runs Londis, in Moorhall Road, Harefield, said: "This is good news, we need the review to be successful."
Hillingdon Council said that it is too early to go into details of how the review will run, and if residents will be called as witnesses, at this early stage.
What is your reaction? E-mail dancoombs@trinitysouth.co.uk
