District leaders have announced they “will not be progressing” with plans to take legal action over unitary council plans.

Last week the leaders of Chiltern District Council, Isobel Darby, and South Bucks District Council, Nick Naylor, said they would be taking “legal advice” after it was announced their request for a judicial review over the set up of the new unitary authority was declined by a judge.

However, they have now said that although they are “disappointed” with the judge’s decision they will not be pushing forward with their application for a judicial review.

A judicial review assesses the lawfulness of a decision or action made by a public body.

A statement released by the two leaders said: “Following further legal advice the councils have decided to not progress any further with their application for a judicial review regarding the way Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government is effecting the change to a new unitary council for Buckinghamshire.

“Obviously, we are disappointed in the Judge’s decision to refuse permission to proceed but we stand by our intention to do everything we can to ensure the new Buckinghamshire Council is something we can all be proud of and will be the very best for all our residents.”

In January, the districts’ leaders, including Katrina Wood from Wycombe District Council, announced they would be taking legal action against the government amid concerns over the se tup of the new council.

At the time the leaders criticised the government’s draft orders – legislation outlining the processes required to move to a unitary authority.

They slammed the “undemocratic” decision to appoint leader of Bucks County Council (BCC), Martin Tett, as the leader of the shadow executive – which is tasked with setting up the new authority.