Dr Andrew Boswell in legal fight over Teesside power station

But this time, the action by former Green city and county councillor Dr Andrew Boswell, is aimed not at Norfolk, but at the development of a gas power station in Teesside, in the north of England.

Dr Boswell, who lives in Norwich and works as an environmental consultant, has applied for a judicial review against the government's decision to approve a 'net zero' gas power station, with carbon capture, at Redcar, near Middlesbrough.

He hopes the High Court will allow his solicitors Leigh Day to put forward his argument that the power station will produce significantly more greenhouse gas emissions than originally predicted.

A visualisation of how the Net Zero Teesside Power station could look (Image: NZT Power)

The power station is being developed by Net Zero Teesside Power - a partnership between energy firm Equinor and BP.

Dr Boswell, who crowdfunded to support his legal challenges over Norfolk A47 schemes, is being backed in his action over the Teesside plant by Dale Vince, the Great Yarmouth-born businessman and green energy industrialist who used to own the EcoTech Centre at Swaffham.

Dale Vince (Image: Simon Marper/PA Wire)

Dr Boswell is waiting to hear whether the Supreme Court will hear his appeal related to his challenges against three A47 schemes - dualling from Blofield to North Burlingham and from Easton to North Tuddenham, plus a revamp of Thickthorn junction on the edge of Norwich.

He argues the cumulative environmental impact of the three projects has not been properly considered.

His argument was dismissed at the High Court in May 2023, but he took the case to the Court of Appeal and a hearing was held in January.

Judges issued their ruling in February, saying his argument had “an air of complete unreality”, with “no logical basis”.

But Dr Boswell instructed solicitors to apply for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court, with a decision pending on whether his case will be heard by the highest court in the land.

National Highways officials have previously said the legal challenges have delayed the projects by 20 months and added tens of millions of pounds to costs, due to soaring inflation.

The bulk of work has been paused, with just 'pre-construction' activities ongoing such as utilities diversions and archaeological work being done until the Supreme Court decides whether it will hear the appeal.