A COUNCILLOR for Park Street has condemned the Government for "dithering" over the rail freight appeal.

The Department for Communities and Local Government revealed yesterday that the decision would be postponed for at least another month because it could not be reached by the target date of today.

Councillor Aislinn Lee, district councillor for Park Street and county councillor for St Stephens, said: "I regret that Eric Pickles' department has yet again left the residents of my area, the whole of the south of St Albans district, and the surrounding area, waiting for news.

"This time they didn't even bother to specify a date by which we might have an outcome."

She added: "Local residents don't want this development. It's the wrong site, there are better sites which are more suitable. Eric Pickles should stop dithering and be brave enough to refuse planning permission."

This is the second time the decision, due to be made by the Secretary of State Mr Pickles, has been delayed.

Developer Helioslough appealed against St Albans District Council's decision to refuse planning permission for a rail freight interchange on land at the former Radlett aerodrome.

A public inquiry was held in November and December 2009 after which the Secretary of State dismissed the appeal.

Helioslough challenged this decision at the High Court and on July 1 last year a judge quashed the decision on the basis of one of four grounds of challenge put forward by the developer.

The High Court referred the matter back to the Secretary of State to re-determine, stating that he did not properly explain his reasons for disagreeing with the Planning Inspector's recommendation that the proposed development is allowed.

A new decision date has not been set.