CIVIC chiefs from across the county have stressed that it is business as usual for LGR following news that Christchurch's legal challenge will be heard in the High Court.

The authority, which is the only council opposed to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), has been granted permission to have its Judicial Review application heard in the High Court before the end of July which could derail the whole process of local government reorganisation in Dorset.

This followed the decision by the former Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid, to approve plans for Christchurch to merge with Bournemouth and Poole councils and for Dorset County, Weymouth and Portland, West Dorset, East Dorset, North Dorset and Purbeck councils to merge into a single authority.

In a joint statement from the eight other Dorset councils, who are all in favour of the two respective mergers, said: “It is not surprising that permission has been granted for the judicial review to go ahead, given that the challenge relates to new legal powers that have not been previously used.

"We fully expect the review to conclude that the Secretary of State made the decision lawfully. In the meantime, nothing has changed in terms of the plans that are already in place, and we are continuing to prepare for the launch of the new councils in April 2019.”

But Councillor David Flagg, the leader of Christchurch Borough Council, said: "Christchurch Borough Council firmly believes the regulations that have passed through Parliament approving the creation of two new unitary councils in Dorset are ultra vires.

“Whilst the Government might believe that our case is absurd that it is clearly not the view of the Judge and we believe we have a strong legal argument.

“Based on the local poll we believe the majority of our residents remain opposed to local government reorganisation in Dorset and being granted permission to have our Judicial Review application heard in the High Court demonstrates that we have an arguable case.

“The council has been thorough and meticulous in its approach and being granted permission sends a strong message that the case is wholly with merit."

High Court judge Mrs Justice Lambert confirmed Christchurch’s case will be heard in the High Court as soon as possible and by July 27.