WORK on a £15 million road project will have to be put on hold until the outcome of a legal challenge.

Not-for-profit economic development firm Sea Change Sussex has been ordered not to carry out any work on the £15 million Queensway Gateway road after opponents were granted the go ahead for a judicial review.

St Leonards resident Gabriel Carlyle has led the campaign against the decision by Hastings Borough Council to grant planning permission for the route connecting the B2092 and the A21 north of the town.

Solicitors from specialist environmental and public law firm Richard Buxton Law working on his behalf secured confirmation of a judicial review at The High Court last week.

As part of the ruling, judges decreed that no further steps could be taken on the project until the case is heard which is likely to be June or July.

Mr Carlyle contends that the planning committee failed to take account of breaches of national and EU laws on air pollution that would be caused by the project.

A Sea Change Sussex spokesman said: "We’re in the process of taking legal advice and examining the implications on our project of the judge’s decision.  

"In any case, we hadn’t scheduled any physical works to construct the Queensway Gateway road until later this year.”

A Hastings Borough Council spokesman reiterated the authority’s position that they would defend their decision.