31 Jul 2025
A country park promised as mitigation for the impact of the controversial Park Street rail freight interchange seems a long way from happening, with just cursory efforts from the developer.
Planning conditions for the scheme saw SEGRO commit to creating 600 acres of woodland and managed countryside, including 200 acres of new species-rich mixed woodland planting and 400 acres of conservation grazing.
The project would also involve new areas of woodland including 4,288 standard trees and 132,057 whips, hedgerows and managed countryside, the enhancement of existing habitats and enhancements to the Ver Valley corridor, and creation of new ponds and wetland environments.
But residents living near the site claim the developer has failed to adequately fulfil its obligations.
Park Street resident Gary Broadbent said: “Having seen what SEGRO think think constitutes a country park, the locals were extremely disappointed, and we can now see that this is just a token effort to appease the planners.
“Frogmore Lakes and Pits are now a complete mess, with zero maintenance being carried out during the main growing season. Many of the paths are overgrown and some are becoming impassable. The fishing club has left due to SEGRO hiking the price, and illegal fishers have moved in. Many stay overnight, and for days on end, urinating and defecating in the area. All of this represents a serious health and safety issue.
“Many of the whips that Segro planted have died due to lack of water. They were planted in boggy ground in the winter, most of it only a thin layer of soil over landfill. As this soil retains little moisture, it was fairly obvious that they would not survive without watering, so this is exactly what has happened during the recent hot dry spells. Even as a very amateur gardener, I knew that tiny whips like those would never survive in those conditions. They just don’t have the resilience in their early years.”
Nik Taylor-Pugh of Verulam Angling Club, who used to maintain the lakes, added: “When SEGRO took over the site they imposed maintenance restrictions on the former angling club which inhibited their ability to carry out any works other than pruning, and the uncertainty of a meaningful lease meant the angling club did not invest in treatment of the lakes to counteract water quality issues amongst other things. Since Verulam Angling club left in February, Moor Mill Pits became unmanaged, ruleless, and quite frankly, it was fast turning into what it once was before Verulam Angling Club took it on years ago.
“SEGRO were advised about algae blooms, their dangers and preventative measures that could be taken. We have been fortunate that the algae blooms haven’t had a chance to get out of control, the weather changed just in time. But the algae are present and really some notices should have been put up, making people aware to keep their dogs away from the water’s edge. Some algae can be deadly to dogs if consumed. And it’s a very popular area for dog walkers.
“There are a few dangerous trees that need urgent attention. Yet Segro ensured me that they have great arboricultural surveyors… although the trees have been dropping here and there – mostly into the lakes, but some are dropping across paths. Some have broken under the weight of leaf growth with large limbs of trees breaking off and crashing down. Not acceptable in my opinion. Neglecting responsibility for public health and safety is what it is.
“I hope that SEGRO will commit to investing in what our much loved pits need! And that is a bloody good haircut to start with.”
St Albans MP Daisy Cooper has now got involved in the controversy: “Many of us were concerned from the very beginning of this mega-project that the so-called ‘country park’ would not actually improve the existing green spaces and fishing lakes but were just an environmental tick-box exercise.
“Now, these incredibly concerning reports suggest that these valuable habitats and green spaces may have been badly neglected.
“Having received these concerns from residents, I’ve already raised the issues with SEGRO and have arranged a site visit in the coming days to see things for myself.
“Since I raised the issue, SEGRO have now confirmed they have engaged the services of a professional management company, to look after the waters on the site, and I’ll be quizzing them about this on my site visit.
“If there’s any possibility that SEGRO is trying to wriggle out of the conditions in the approved countryside management plan, I will of course continue to hold their feet to the fire.”
A licence has been recently agreed between SEGRO and Countryside Management Consulting Services (CMCS), a well-regarded operator in the fisheries and conservation sector, to restore and enhance the angling offer at Frogmore Lakes, which is being seen a key step in improving site stewardship and ensuring the lakes are enjoyed responsibly.
In addition, a Country Park Steering Liaison Group has been established, bringing together local stakeholders and subject matter experts to guide the long-term vision and management of the site.
SEGRO has promised that any unsuccessful planting will be replaced as part of the ongoing maintenance. Overgrown pathways are also being addressed, and further tree safety works will be carried out following site inspections and surveys.
Steps have also been taken to manage unauthorised activity at the lakes, including rubbish removal and close liaison with local police and homelessness prevention services in tackling anti-social behaviour and unauthorised camping.
A SEGRO spokesperson said: “We are aware of concerns raised regarding the condition of the country park area adjacent to SEGRO Logistics Park Radlett, including Frogmore Lakes. The park has had very limited investment and maintenance over a number of years and it is going to take time to create the facility that is expected. We take these issues seriously and remain committed to addressing these challenges and keeping the community informed.”
SADC strategic director for community and place delivery, Chris Traill, said: “SEGRO is obliged to create a country park around the rail freight terminal by the planning permissions that were agreed.
“This is a collaborative project and SEGRO has set up a steering group to monitor the work with its membership drawn from the surrounding community.
“The group had its first meeting in May this year and members include representatives from SEGRO, including the project manager, as well as the council, local residents associations, Ver Valley Society, Verulam Angling Club and Herts Bird Club.
“The intention is for the group to meet twice a year to be briefed on the project’s progress and discuss any issues.
“It is the responsibility of SEGRO to fund and deliver the park and we have not had any complaints that they are in breach of their planning obligations.
“The project, in any case, is at a very early stage and we would not expect the park to take shape for many months.
“There is no requirement for any of the park to have been delivered at this time.
“When completed, it is hoped the park will be a significant community asset. It will be open to the public, cover around 247 hectares in a series of nine open spaces, and include footpaths, landscaping, play areas, ponds and thousands of new trees and saplings.”
Chris added: “We do not have ownership of the site, so any concerns about current activities such as littering or trespassing should be made to the landowners.”
