IT looks like the end of the battle.

Christchurch council has had its court challenge over merger with Bournemouth and Poole refused.

The authority had claimed that the secretary of state had acted beyond his powers in passing the legislation to allow the process to go ahead.

However, yesterday a judge ruled that it had been done lawfully, turning down the request for a judicial review of the matter.

R (ON THE APPLICATION OF CHRISTCHURCH BOROUGH COUNCIL) v SSHCLG.DOC

Council leader, Cllr David Flagg, said: “We are disappointed by today’s judgement.

“We have been advised that a number of points set out in the judgement are still arguable in law and therefore we will be responding to the judge on these.

“Depending on his response we will consider whether an appeal to the Court of Appeal would be appropriate or not.”

Mayor of the borough, Cllr Lesley Dedman, said: “It’s a very sad day for Christchurch.

“However, it’s not the end of the fight to remain as a sovereign council.

“We owe it to the people of Christchurch, who have made their views quite clear, to make sure we continue our opposition.

“Of course we will continue to do what the government tells us to do and will work with other councils to do what’s best for our residents.

“As far as I know we are going to appeal the decision on a few points of law – it’s certainly not over.”

North Dorset MP Simon Hoare said the decision was “brilliant and fantastic news”.

On Twitter he urged Christchurch to stop wasting taxpayers’ money on seeking to “undermine the democratic majority”.

The decision was also welcomed by Dorset’s eight other councils with a statement saying they hoped Christchurch would accept the ruling.

The statement said: “A huge amount of work has already been undertaken, and we are making excellent progress towards creating the two new councils.

“We respect the choice of Christchurch Borough Council to challenge the decision, through a judicial review on a procedural point of law.

“In doing so, we note that the validity of the case for creating two new councils was not the basis for this judicial review challenge.

“Christchurch has spent a very significant amount of council tax payers’ money in pursuing this legal action.”

“The High Court has rejected that challenge and we hope that all Christchurch councillors will now accept that judgement, and fully take part in planning for and making decisions about the new council.”

Cllr Janet Walton, the leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Shadow Authority, said: “We really welcome the decision and are really happy that we can now get on with things.”

The judicial review has cost Christchurch council tens of thousands of pounds.

A statement from the nine pro-merger Christchurch councillors – Claire Bath, Bernie Davis, Tavis Fox, Wendy Grace, Vicki Hallam, Ray Nottage, Lisle Smith, Sue Spittle and Trevor Watts – said: "Now that the judicial review has come to its conclusion, it is time to look forward and grasp the opportunities that Future Dorset presents. This will ensure that Christchurch Council protects future service delivery for the residents of Christchurch."