A WOMAN'S battle to save her barn from the bulldozers could be taken to the High Court in London.

Candice Hadfield, who has spent eight years fighting the council's decision to demolish her barn, has applied for a judicial review to challenge the Secretary of State's plans for a public inquiry.

"I have lodged a judicial review but I cannot discuss the legal implications," she said.

"After eight years I've learned not to say anything. But I can say we are hopeful that the challenge will be a step forward."

A Government inspector was due to visit Knutsford next month to decide whether Macclesfield Borough Council were right to demand that her barn on the outskirts of town should be demolished.

But the inquiry - which could cost Knutsford taxpayers up to £50,000 - has been postponed indefinitely.

"The judicial review takes precedent over the inquiry," said Mrs Hadfield on Monday. "We hope the review will be heard at the end of next month in the High Court."

Mrs Hadfield, who now lives in Mobberley, bought the barn in Great Warford in 1993 and admitted last year that she has given up hope of ever living there.

But she has refused to give up her battle - which has already cost her more than £300,000 - to keep the barn because she hoped to use it as stables for her horses.

A spokesman for Macclesfield Borough Council said yesterday (Tuesday) that she could not comment on the latest developments because they had nothing to do with the council.

"It is between the Secretary of State and Mrs Hadfield," she said.

mgillies@guardiangrp.co.uk