More time granted for rail freight plans (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

More time granted to Helioslough for Park Street rail freight plans

11:42am Friday 25th January 2013 in News By Rebecca Perring, Reporter

The developers hoping to build a rail freight terminal in Park Street have been given more time to meet government conditions, in their bid for planning permission.

Helioslough, the developer, now has until March 28 to carry out conditions, including infrastructure requirements, following a request for more time.

Last month, Eric Pickles, the secretary of state for communities and local Government said that he was "minded to approve" planning permission for the rail freight interchange subject to various conditions.

However, in a letter dated from yesterday (Thursday) Mr Pickles has agreed to a request from Helioslough to extend the original date of February 28.

A planning obligation will then be submitted, before a final decision is made.

The extension comes after St Albans District Council threatened to take the Government’s decision on the rail freight terminal to the High Court.

The council wrote to Mr Pickles, urging him to reconsider his decision to agree the huge rail terminal.