27.08.14
Council to challenge government over Radlett SRFI depot
St Albans City and District Council has lodged a claim in the High Court to challenge a decision by communities secretary Eric Pickles to grant planning permission for the development of a Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) at Radlett.
The local authority’s claim concerns the legality of the secretary of state’s decision on 14 July 2014 to allow an appeal brought by Helioslough Limited, which concerned the council’s refusal of planning permission for the SRFI on the former aerodrome site.
In particular, the council is challenging the decision on three points of law. The first is concerned with the legality of the secretary of state’s approach in taking his decision.
The second relates to the misapplication of wording in the National Planning Policy Framework. And the third ground for challenge relates to procedural irregularity and inconsistency on the rail freight interchange decision.
Cllr Julian Daly, St Albans City and District Council’s leader and portfolio holder for Planning and Conservation, said: “The Council considers that the proposed rail freight interchange at this site will be harmful to the District’s Green Belt.
“We believe that the secretary of state’s recent decision to grant planning permission is flawed legally. We are therefore taking action to challenge the decision in the High Court.”
The DCLG said as there was legal action taking place it would be inappropriate to comment.
(The proposed Strategic Rail Freight Interchange: c.mwmbwls)
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