Rail freight refused

Councillors are delighted with the news that plans to build a Rail Freight terminal on the edge of Hertsmere have been rejected at an appeal stage.

Hazel Blears, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, announced on Thursday 2 October, her decision on the Rail Freight planning inquiry.
 
She decided to dismiss the appeal by Helioslough Ltd against St Albans City and District Council’s refusal of planning permission for a Rail Freight terminal on land in and around the former aerodrome near Radlett.

Cllr Hannah David, portfolio holder for planning, said: "This is fantastic news. Even though the proposed Rail Freight terminal was not in Hertsmere we had serious concerns that the terminal would have a detrimental effect on our area through increased traffic, pollution and loss of Green Belt land.

“We supported St Albans District Council in objecting to the proposals and throughout the process listened to our residents who clearly did not want such an operation nearby either. We also contributed £30,000 to the cost of their fight against these plans and it just goes to show that this was so worthwhile. I am delighted that together our efforts have paid off.”

Hazel Blears concluded that the proposal did not comply with the development plan, as it was inappropriate development on the Green Belt. She was not satisfied that Heliouslough had demonstrated that no other site would come forward to meet the need for further strategic Rail Freight Interchanges to serve London and the south east and concluded that the benefits of the proposal would not clearly outweigh the harm to the Green Belt and did not constitute very special circumstances.