Three Hertfordshire MP’s have written a joint letter to the county council calling for the proposed site of a “disruptive and unnecessary” rail freight terminal to be used for housing instead.
Hertfordshire MP’s, Oliver Dowden, Anne Main and Bim Afolami penned a letter to the leader of Hertfordshire County Council, Cllr, David Williams, setting out their support for a Park Street “garden village” in St Albans, while urging Cllr Williams not to sell the site to property developers, Helioslough.
The “green belt” area is currently largely owned by Hertfordshire County Council who have a legal duty to get the best value for money for taxpayers. The county council received an offer for the land from Helioslough meaning they will have no choice but to sell.
However, if the site was designated to the St Albans Local Plan as suitable for housing development, the land value would increase.
An examination of the site and garden village proposal was decided at a meeting of the St Albans Planning Policy Committee, on June 18.
Oliver Dowden meeting with Anne Main and campaigners
St Albans MP, Anne Main said: “We have to make the case for housing over the completely unwanted rail freight interchange.
“There is a proven housing need in St Albans with many young people and families crowded out of the market.
“We must deliver the homes my constituents need, and this site provides a good opportunity to do just that.
Mrs Main added she hoped the council would “push ahead” with housing on the site in favour of a rail freight terminal that she claimed would have “little benefit” to St Albans residents.
The letter came after a meeting in Parliament between Mr Dowden, Mrs Main and the campaign group STRIFE, who have been working to stop the terminal since 2009.
Hertsmere MP, Mr Dowden, said: “I have always said I do not want any development of this green belt land. But if it must be developed, it is ludicrous that the land can have planning permission for a disruptive and unnecessary rail freight terminal, but bids for desperately needed homes cannot be considered.
“I am very pleased that St Albans Council are now considering the site and the proposal for a garden village for inclusion within their Local Plan.
“I do not believe Hertfordshire County Council are required to sell the site to Helioslough.
“However, should they be ultimately required to sell, I believe that the proper discharge of their legal duty means they need to consider the potential increased value of the land should it be included in the St Albans Local Plan for housing.
“Any premature sale of the site therefore risks significantly undervaluing it and would not achieve best value for the taxpayers of Hertfordshire.”
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