Months of waiting for St Albans railfreight decision (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Months of waiting for St Albans railfreight decision

10:53am Tuesday 5th January 2010

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THE planning inspector who heard the six-week inquiry into the railfreight terminal will publish his ruling on or before June 23.

Mr Andy Mead, who presided over the hearing between November 24 and December 18, has written to developer Helioslough and campaign group Strife to tell them he needs several months to consider the evidence and prepare a detailed judgement.

St Albans MP Anne Main said: “The developer rushed this proposal ahead of the Government’s new strategies on railfreight and strategic infrastructure which I have always believed was hasty, ill conceived and premature. 

“Whilst this long decision time does mean the sword of Damocles is hanging over St Albans for a considerable period of time, I hope that other, more appropriate sites which are also in the pipeline will now have the chance to go forward. 

“ If there is any justice this site should be rejected for the sake of my constituents whose lives will potentially be affected by this. 

“ I know this will be an anxious time, but Strife and the council have put forward a robust defence and throughout all my involvement in this matter I have seen nothing that changes my view that this is a very un-green proposal in the wrong place.

“I am hopeful that the inspector will have been convinced of this.”

Mr Mead's judgement on Helioslough's appeal will include a ruling on the company's application for costs against the council.

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