Anne Main MP (St Albans)

House of Commons

London

SW1A 0AA

21st July 2009

 

Radlett rail freight proposal rejected by Council

 

I know that many of you were at the Alban Arena last night for the St Albans District Council Planning Referral Committee meeting and heard both the arguments for and against Helioslough’s application.

 

I am sure that you will be pleased to know that the Committee listened to the numerous arguments against the proposals as well as the views of local residents and unanimously rejected the application.  Officers rejected Helioslough’s alternative sites assessment as inadequate.

 

I spoke against the proposal on your behalf and asked the Council to consider insisting on a condition to be placed on the application, should it be overturned for approval by the Secretary of State.  The expert views of First Capital Connect and the Association of Train Operating Companies are that there is insufficient space on the line for freight train pathways.  The Council should insist that the Secretary of State, if minded to approve, should only do so on the condition that no building is allowed to take place until those pathways are guaranteed.  This condition was in place at Alconbury and even though planning permission was granted the depot wasn’t built because pathways, coincidentally also on the East Midland Mainline, were not available and the developer could not proceed.

 

Helioslough refuses to accept the decision of the Council and the wishes of local people.  Their spokesperson, Simon Hoare, has confirmed that the developer will appeal against the decision.  I understand that a public inquiry has already been scheduled for October 12th.  I will give you more information nearer the time.

 

The fight is not over yet, so it is important that we work together to oppose the development and that STRIFE has your support.

 

With best wishes,

Anne Main

0207 219 8270 – maina@parliament.uk

 

You are receiving this message because you previously signed up to Anne Main MP’s rail freight proposal email list. If you no longer wish to receive these emails please reply to this email with the words “Please remove me from the no2railfreight email list” in the subject line.