The fight to save services at Chase Farm Hospital has received a boost with Enfield Council throwing its weight behind a legal challenge to the cuts.

On Wednesday evening, at the Civic Centre, in Silver Street, the cabinet committee voted unanimously to seek a judicial review into NHS plans to close down the casualty unit at the hospital, in the Ridgeway, and also relocate maternity services to Barnet.

This means that a judge will look into the reconfiguration plans to decide whether they should go ahead or be sent to the High Court, where they could be postponed indefinitely.

An initial ruling is expected in four to six months.

At present, no other London borough has taken this step.

Councillors made their decision after listening to campaigners and service users.

Councillor Kate Wilkinson addressed the panel. She is a member of Save Chase Farm group which won 12,000 votes in the 2006 council elections.

Afterwards, she said: “We are delighted with this news and we fully support the council’s decision because we have been able to hold the NHS to account.”

Ivy Beard travelled from her home in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, to tell senior councillors how service changes in Enfield could hit households there.

“There are thousands of people in Broxbourne who have fought for this over the years. I’m really pleased with Enfield Council’s scrutiny."

The challenge to the proposed changes rests on five objections.

Opponents say the consultation process was inadequate, the decision itself is perverse, that it does not account for a growing population, that travel distances will be too great, and Enfield will be left unable to cope with a major incident.

Council leader Councillor Mike Rye sits on the cabinet panel. He said the council resolved to go to the High Court after taking advice from a QC.

He said: “I think it's good news that at least we will get a re-run of the consultation. I suspect other London councils will be watching this with interest.”