HILLINGDON Council has decided to exercise their option to apply for a judicial review to block Tesco building in Harefield.
An independent planning inspector ruled at an appeal last month that the superstore should be allowed to build at a vacant site in Rickmansworth Road.
Hillingdon Council had employed a barrister to argue at the April inquiry against Tesco, having themselves rejected four planning applications in the past four years.
Now the local authority have decided not to give up the fight and have applied to the Government, requesting permission that a judicial review be given the green light to go ahead.
In doing so, the council set out their case, arguing the village was too compact for such a large store, and major traffic problems would materialise if it was to be built.
On Monday (27) the borough will hear back, to see if their review will get the go ahead.
If it does, it will mean a legal fight, at the expense of the taxpayer, but residents in the village believe it will be worthwhile.
Pauline Crawley, chair of the Harefield Tenants and Residents Association, said: "The Tesco will cause mayhem in the village, they will not keep to the conditions set by the planning inspector.
"I think a judicial review would have a good chance of winning, we are pleased the council is taking this action."
Ickenham Councillor John Hensley, (Con) chair of one of Hillingdon's planning committees, whose son Mark lives in Harefield, said: "I've been dismayed by the decisions of some planning inspectors over the years and this is one of them, which disregards the views of the people.
"They give obscure reasons for approval, and the only way we can challenge is by a judicial review, it puts the council in an awkward position."
If the review is granted, it could become the first piece of Harefield's future to rest on the courts.
A planning inspector is to hold an inquiry on the future of the Medi Parc later this year, which many are fearing could be appealed whatever the outcome, and end up in the High Court.
Council leader Ray Puddifoot has also promised a judicial review against High Speed Two (HS2), if the result of the consultation goes in favour of the train line which would devastate the tranquillity of the village by its construction and existence.
The future of Harefield Hospital also rests on the courts, with its partner the Royal Brompton facing a loss of children's heart surgery.
Knock-on effects would result in a 10 per cent loss of income, which health experts describe as also putting the future viability of Harefield Hospital at risk.
A decision on whether a judicial review will be granted against these plans will be decided in July.
Are you happy Hillingdon Council is taking up the fight against Tesco? E-mail dancoombs@trinitysouth.co.uk
