Alexander Temerko has won the first step in his legal challenge against the Government’s decision to block his plans for a  1.2bn electricity cable to France.

His company, Aquind, has won permission from the courts to apply for a judicial review of the Government’s decision to block planning permission for the project. Mrs Justice Lang at the High Court said the company has “raised arguable grounds which merit consideration at a full hearing”.

Aquind said the project would “help reduce the impact of volatile gas and coal prices” and help “stabilise and reduce the cost of electricity”.