A LEGAL challenge which could delay the Saints new Dell has been thrown out by Southampton City Council.

Lawyers for a group opposing the stadium have threatened to take the case to a judicial review if they don't get clarification about how the council arrived at its decision.

The Stadium Opposition Group (SOG) believe city planners may have acted illegally by granting permission for the 32,000-seat stadium in Britannia Road without an environment impact assessment. But chief legal officer at the City Council, Mark Heath said the process the council had taken was "fair, reasonable and lawful".

He confirmed he had written back a "robust response" to solicitors Tyndall Woods, who are acting on behalf of the SOG.

He said: "All the elements which would be con-tained in an environment impact survey were included in extensive documents considered at a 12-hour planning meeting to consider the Dell application."

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has already giving his backing to the inner city stadium and dismissed calls by protestors to call the application in for a planning inquiry.

Mr Heath said: "Mr Prescott decided it was appropriate for the council to determine the application and endorsed the council's approach and process."

The council is now waiting to hear back. SOG's solicitor Alastair Wallace said he would be discussing a response with his clients.

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