The Development Bureau on Friday welcomed the High Court’s decision to dismiss a legal challenge against the environmental impact assessment of the San Tin Technopole project.

In a statement, the government said the ruling removes uncertainties surrounding the project, and that authorities will “press ahead with this flagship project of the Northern Metropolis”.

The High Court’s decision came after the applicant withdrew his judicial review application.

Justice Russell Coleman allowed social worker Eddie Tse to drop his case and rejected a request to have former Sai Kung district councillor Debby Chan take over the proceedings.

Coleman shot down the request in a written judgement, saying Tse and Chan did not share sufficient common interests beyond a general concern for environmental protection.

He ruled that Chan only expressed interest in the case "after she learnt from the applicant that he had decided to withdraw his own challenge".

The hearing for the judicial review in June has been cancelled.

Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Department also welcomed the ruling, saying it will continue to strictly review all environmental impact assessment reports according to statutory requirements.

More than HK$27 billion and nearly 300 hectares of land have been earmarked for the innovation and technology hub in San Tin.