12 Mar 2024
Campaigners challenging a proposed rail freight terminal on the former Radlett airfield in Park Street have been told their case will be heard in the Royal Courts of Justice on June 11.
If the court rules that Herts county council did not follow the correct legal process when selling the land to developers Segro, the sale will be overturned.
“This will be a huge day for us and everyone who lives in the St Albans area,” said Cllr Nuala Webb, one of the leaders of the Save St Albans: Fight the Freight group.
“If the ruling goes our way it will block the development of a totally unnecessary freight terminal on a totally unsuitable site.”
Campaigners argue that when HCC agreed to buy the land for £1 in the mid-1980s it was bought as permanent open space for the benefit of the local community. In a written submission to the court, HCC claimed they bought the land under a different act but the judge, Mrs Justice Thornton, said the council acknowledged they had not provided any evidence to support this.
“When local authorities buy land, they have to say under which Act they buy it. Council documents from the time continually refer to the area as open space,” said Cllr Webb. “The 1906 Open Spaces Act is very clear. It defines open space as any land where buildings cover no more than five per cent and the rest of the land is laid out as garden, used for recreation or lies waste and unoccupied.
“Under that Act, these 300 acres of valuable Metropolitan Green Belt are held in trust by the council. Rather than selling the land, Herts should be safeguarding it. “
St Albans MP Daisy Cooper and Hertsmere MP and Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden have both urged people to back the campaign. Organisers have arranged another public meeting at the Vision Hall in Radlett on Sunday March 24 at 2pm.
Campaigners believe their case is strengthened by a court ruling that overturned the sale of open space in Shropshire after it had been sold to a developer by a local council.
They are now trying to raise £25,000 to fund the legal challenge. They have already lodged £7,000 with the court to ensure the hearing on June 11 goes ahead. The application for a Judicial Review will be considered at an oral hearing. If permission is granted the full hearing will follow immediately.
“We’ve had a great response so far and raised £14,000 in a couple of weeks,” said Cllr Webb. “It shows the strength of feeling locally and a belief in our case, but we need more people to back us. It really is a case that affects the future of our community.”
For more information and to donate please go to: https://www.savestalbans.com/donate
