An appeal for funds to back a £25,000 judicial review against the south Canterbury Mountfield Park development has come from two environmental campaigners.

Emily Shirley from Bridge and Michael Rundell from Wincheap are challenging the 4,000-home development, recently granted by the city council, on the grounds of air pollution.

Proceedings have already been lodged against the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for failing to call-in the scheme by developer Corinthian.

The campaigners say air pollution in Canterbury already kills around 100 people a year prematurely and they estimate the development could increase traffic by 28,000 vehicular movements daily in the city, leading to even more loss of life.

Both Mrs Shirley and Mr Rundell have long been involved with campaigning for a sustainable Canterbury and say the Corinthian application is completely out of line with sustainability.

She said: “The air quality limits in Canterbury are in breach of UK and European law. There isn’t even an up to date, adopted air quality plan for the district as required by law.

“The secretary of state is responsible for ensuring compliance. It is unacceptable that the Government turns a blind eye in this case when it has just been told by the High Court to sort out air pollution nationally with effective air pollution reduction plans.”

The pair are inviting donations from individuals and groups to help pay for the challenge.

Anyone interested should email Emily at climaterecovery1@gmail.com.