A RENEWED fight against a major container port build has been branded as a "slap in the face" by those who see the project as the future of regeneration in Harwich.

Jenni Meredith, of campaign group Residents Against Port Expansion, has been given permission to take her case against Bathside Bay to the Court of Appeal.

She says building the port will destroy protected wetland, which is home to various species of birds.

Last October, High Court judge Mrs Justice Lang ruled that Mrs Meredith did not have an arguable case in her challenge to Tendring Council's planning permission.

But on Wednesday one of the country's most senior judges, Lord Justice Patten, gave her the go-ahead to bring an appeal on three of her four grounds of challenge to the development.

The council's planning boss, Carlo Guglielmi, said this week's decision to allow an appeal was a "disgrace".