ECO campaigners have mounted a legal challenge to stop the Cinderford spine road because of the impact on rare horseshoe bats.

They say the council has failed to take into account its duties under European rules to protect the species.

Regeneration chiefs have said they will choose the route for the road to take into account bat roosts and flight paths.

But Forest of Dean Friends of the Earth has applied for a High Court judicial review of the district council's decision to approve plans to develop Cinderford's Northern Quarter.

Specialist lawyers Richard Buxton Easked have been hired to question the decision to approve the Core Strategy and the Cinderford Area Action Plan which have been approved by a government inspector.

See this week's Forester for full story