CAMPAIGNERS are overjoyed that their hard-fought battle to stop a huge goods yard on the former Handley Page airfield has ended in victory.

The collapse of Helioslough's project, which as well as destroying open Green Belt land threatened to blight the area with traffic, noise and light pollution, has delighted the many local people and politicians who have fought it.

Cathy Bolshaw, who spearheaded the campaign group Strife, said: "Common sense has prevailed. I am a very happy bunny.

"I was reasonably confident, but we were fighting a monster and were really up against it.

"Our barrister told me there could be a judicial review, but he thinks the decision is fairly done and dusted."

Councillor Martin Leach, Labour leader in St Albans, said: "I am so relieved for the people of that area. If this had gone ahead it would have devastated their lives."

Sandy Walkington, former Lib Dem parliamentary candidate, said: "This is a wonderful tonic for St Albans and Park Street residents and the proper reward for years of hard campaigning.

“Had this awful development gone ahead, it would have irrevocably destroyed the character of our city and district and would have reduced our roads to gridlock."

Secretary of State Eric Pickles rejected Helioslough's argument that there were no other suitable sites serving the area, concluding Colnbrook near Slough offered a clear alternative.

A railfreight depot project at Colnbrook was rejected after a similar public enquiry nearly ten years ago, but Ms Balshaw hopes a renewed planning application will soon be successful there, killing off the threat to Park Street for good.

The future of the former airfield, inhabited only by sheep since it closed in 1970, is far from clear, but Councillor Leach wants the county council, which owns most of the land, to discuss options including recreational use with Strife.

The Review has asked Helioslough whether it will try to challenge the decision, but has not yet had a response.