Campaigners opposed to plans for a new £10million bridge over the River Thames have been granted permission to proceed with a judicial review.

The Oxpens River Bridge, is a proposed pedestrian and cycle bridge from a new Oxford quarter to be called Oxpens to Grandpont Nature Park.

It was given the green light in March and again by one vote at a special review meeting in April following an appeal.

The Friends of Grandpont will now legally challenge the decision, claiming the committee was misled on key facts.

READ MORE: Person killed on train tracks on Oxfordshire rail route

Campaigner Dan Glazebrook has accused the authority of failing to conduct a legally required environmental impact assessment.

The bridge will stretch from Oxpens to Grandpont Nature Park (Image: Oxfordshire County Council)

He said: "The council repeatedly misled their own members about all this and more to ensure their white elephant project scraped through planning committee.

“The small woodland which will be destroyed to make way for the bridge is one of the most biodiverse parts of the Grandpont nature reserve, and its construction will result in irreversible biodiversity loss on the site.

"The council’s own guidelines specify that such losses must be avoided altogether wherever possible, and replaced on site where not."

The group has been fundraising and raised over £11,500 in donations for the legal challenge.

Oxford City Council maintains it followed the proper processes when making the planning application.

In a statement, a city council spokesperson said: "While we respect the legal process, we are disappointed by the delays this action will inevitably cause to the delivery of this important piece of infrastructure.

"The Oxpens River Bridge has been a crucial element in the city's local plan for many years, designed to significantly enhance walking and cycling access from the west.

"This project is a key component of our commitment to active travel and sustainable transport, and we believe it will have a positive impact on the city’s connectivity and environmental goals.

READ MORE: Oxford fireworks display to go ahead without the bonfire

"We will not comment on the specific details of the case at this time, but we remain committed to delivering this much-needed infrastructure for the benefit of the community as soon as possible."

Construction work on the bridge was expected to start later in 2024 with the bridge scheme expected to be completed in 2025.

The city council has said the bridge would deliver a net biodiversity gain.

In a statement, a spokesperson said: “The proposed bridge has been designed considering the ecology and arboricultural importance of Grandpont.

"The scheme has been designed to minimise the impact on Grandpont, affecting only a small area of the park and the trees within it."

It would also "improve the choice of routes for people accessing the area now and in the future".