THE railfreight terminal will cause huge harm to open Green Belt land just outside St Albans, Heliolough's plannng consultant has conceded.
Strife's barristrer Paul Stinchcombe has begun his cross-examination of Richard Tilley by forcing him to admit the largest of the warehouses will be the size of Heathrow's Terminal Five, and the project will occupy open Green Belt land separating London Colney from Park Street.
Mr Tilley has accepted these propositions, that St Albans is of national historic importance, and that views of the cathedral will be destroyed.
Mr Stinchcombe said: “Rarely, if ever, can there have been a proposed development that caused more Green Belt harm.”
The witness replied: “If a railfreight terminal is built on the Green Belt, it will have an impact wherever it is.
“The impact on the countryside is not as great as another development I am working on in West Yorkshire.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here