THE battle to stop a controversial new visitor centre being built at an iconic ancient monument has passed a major hurdle.

Crowdfunding has raised the £7,800 needed for the initial stage of a potential judicial review into the decision by City of York Council to grant English Heritage planning permission for the scheme at Clifford’s Tower.

Cllr Johnny Hayes, who is spearheading the legal bid, said the money meant the campaign could put its case before a single High Court judge - who will then decide if it should go before a full hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice.

However, the fundraising drive will continue because the campaign needs another £7,800 to prepare for the full hearing, should it be granted.

Cllr Hayes said: “I took out this application for a judicial review because I was very unhappy with the process by which this decision was made. Now a High Court Judge will look through the all the case papers and determine whether the case should be given permission to move to a full hearing in the High Court.”

“We should find out very soon as permission stage should happen in the next couple of weeks. We think we have a good case but that is for the Judge to decide.”

Pledges over the initial £7,800 will not be collected if permission is not granted for a full hearing.