Maria Mendrys, of residents' body, the Park Plaza Action Group, has launched an appeal to raise funds for a judicial review of the
verdict.

In an open letter appealing for financial help, Mendrys stated: "The battle is not over. If we stick together we can show the council they have made a disastrous decision for the borough of Broxbourne."

Broxbourne Borough Council granted approval for the 116,000m2 project, which includes an 83,000m2 print facility that will replace Wapping, at a heated meeting last Tuesday (2 August).

Peter Quaile, Broxbourne Borough Council principal planning officer, who received more than 660 letters of objection to the plans, described the meeting as "lively".

The project has faced major local opposition over fears that noise, light and traffic from the plant will degrade quality of life and property prices in Waltham Cross.

Work at the plant cannot begin until NI, local and county councils and other interested parties have agreed on a 1.1m programme of local improvements which the company will have to provide for the area under what is known as a Section 106 agreement.

A spokeswoman for NI said: "We are delighted with [last Tuesday's] decision and look forward to continuing to work with the council and local community to build a successful future in the Broxbourne area."

Story by Josh Brooks