The court hearing for Love Braunton’s request for permission to have a Judicial Review (JR) took place at Cardiff Courts on Friday 24^th April 2026. In attendance were LB’s barrister and the legal teams from NDC (defendant) and White Cross. Two members of Love Braunton were also there. The hearing lasted two and half hours.

Our barrister detailed the specific legal points based on case law as to why there should be a JR and the defendant and White Cross rebutted these with different case law.

When making his decision in respect of the four grounds for requesting a JR, the judge considered all of the points made during the course of the hearing. Two of the grounds he ruled were unarguable giving greater weight to the defendant’s arguments and that the other two were unlikely to be successful; therefore he did not grant permission for a JR.

There had been a fifth ground when we submitted our JR request in October 2025. The judge noted that this ground was now withdrawn following White Cross’s submission of late applications made in November 2025 to amend the wording of the relevant conditions.

In his opening comments the Judge complimented our barrister on his presentation of Love Braunton’s case. It was clear that the Judge had read all the paperwork submitted and gave reasoned arguments for his decision based on the relevant case law. He accepted the defendant’s position that that the Planning Committee was composed of experienced local councillors who had had time to read the detailed paperwork and that NDC officers are entitled to rely on Natural England’s consultation responses.

Although bitterly disappointed with this outcome we have accepted that this decision is final.

Whilst it is the end of this chapter in the White Cross saga, the next stage is the pending applications to be made in respect of the conditions. The first of these being the current application in respect of the scope of the bat survey.

Love Braunton will continue to monitor and respond to White Cross applications.

We could not have made this legal challenge without amazing support of local and wider community, so thank you all so much for each of your contributions. It is our community that recognises the specialness of the area, and we will always fight to protect it. 

The defendant (North Devon Council) and the interested party (White Cross) responded to the legal papers served on them within the given timeframe.

Our legal team considered these responses and have submitted a rebuttal.

All papers are now lodged with the court. The next step is that a Judge will consider our request and make a decision as to whether permission is given for a Judicial Review.

The timeframe for this decision is unknown, but we hope that we will know before the Christmas break.

In the meantime, please keep our community’s campaign in your mind in readiness for the next phase.

Thank you for your support that has enabled us to make a request to the Court for a Judicial Review.

NDC and WX were served on 16/09/25. The next step is to get the defendant (NDC) and Interested Party’s (WX) acknowledgement of service and grounds of defence. This is due 3 weeks from the date they were served.

This submitted defence will then be considered by our legal team with the barrister and they will respond if necessary to any points raised to the court within a further 7 days.

 After that the papers sit with the court until a judge is appointed to determine whether to grant permission. That order can be 4-8 weeks depending on court availability, so it may take a couple of months before we have a decision as to whether we have permission for a JR.

Please continue to support us and spread the word.

Given that we had almost reached the first target our legal team finalised the application asking permission for a Judicial Review to be held.

This has now been filed with the Court. We await their decision on whether we can proceed.

If permission to go ahead is granted the next stage of fund raising begins. You have done so much to get us this far. Please carry on supporting us and spreading the word. 

...to achieve our initial funding target for Judicial Review.

Our legal team have now reviewed North Devon Council’s response and have advised that there are issues with how the application has been made. It is these issues which can be challenged and will be the grounds upon which we seek permission from the courts for a judicial review.

Your vocal commitment to and financial support of this legal challenge has been overwhelming. We are now in a position as a community to seek permission from the courts to challenge NDC’s decision.

Please keep speaking out and giving – together we can make this happen!

Love Braunton’s legal team submitted to North Devon Council on Friday 15^th August 2025 a final request to reconsider their decision issued 5th August  in respect of the White Cross Onshore cable route planning application.This final request to reconsider their decision details seven issues that could be challenged in court.

North Devon Council have until the 29th August 2025 to respond to this request.

Thank you to everyone across the community whose support has got us to this stage.

Please continue to support the campaign to protect our unique and precious environment.

Further update to follow in respect of this ongoing legal challenge. 

The application was heard by North Devon Council Planning Committee on the 7th May 2025. Prior to this meeting a very clear warning about the significant issues that the application raised were detailed in a letter from our legal team. Their letter laid out the factual issues that might become legal questions if not addressed prior to determination.

We and the wider community do not believe that these issues have been addressed by North Devon Council. Nor do our legal team.

It is for this reason we are relaunching the fund-raising campaign to ensure that all relevant legal and environmental matters are properly examined as to whether the decision made by NDC is lawful.

Our community is in favour of renewable energy – a position stated by all members of the community. It is the proposed onshore cable route that the community oppose as its will be at the expense of our local landscape that is recognised by its national and international designations: UNESCO Biosphere, National Landscape (formerly AONB), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and World Surfing Reserve. This landscape underpins our local economy as it is what brings residents and visitors to the area.

Please support our fight to protect this unique and highly valued landscape for the future enjoyment of all.

Due to your incredible support we have reached our target early. No more donations are needed at this time. 

The legal legal team are now engaged. 

Further updates will be available on Love Braunton and Save Our Sands social media