The government conservation advisory body decided to confer “favourable conservation status” on Barbastelle bats in the region last March just days before the application was due to be submitted.

The council has been trying to reach a solution with Natural England ever since but has now “exhausted all options.”

Norfolk said it will now withdraw the planning application for the scheme which has government funding and was awarded to Ferrovial in 2021.

Ferrovial Construction has now been stood down despite most of the design work being completed.

Around £56m has already been spent advancing the scheme.

Council leaders will now hope to strike a deal with Department of Transport chiefs as the government looks to prioritise construction and weaken the influence of environmental quangos.

Cllr Graham Plant, Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure said: “It was right for us to leave no stone unturned in relation to Natural England’s stance on our proposals.

“We will write to them again hoping to get answers to our unanswered questions but at present, we have exhausted all our options in relation to this, so we have made the difficult decision to withdraw the current planning application and prioritise discussions with the Department for Transport (DfT) on the way forward for the project.

“I know the withdrawal of the planning application will be immensely disappointing and frustrating news to many of you, including all the individuals, businesses and communities in Norfolk who have been telling us for years that a solution must be found to the transport issues and growing traffic congestion to the west of Norwich.

“I can reassure you that the Norwich Western Link remains a priority project for this council.

“We hope to have discussions with DfT shortly to agree the way forward and reach a good outcome.

“The Government has said it is keen to enable economic growth and deliver infrastructure, so we have shared goals, which gives us confidence that we can reach a good solution together.”