06.07.15
Council ends legal challenge on Radlett freight interchange
St Alban’s City & District Council has decided not to take forward its appeal in its lengthy dispute over the proposed strategic rail freight interchange (SRFI) at Radlett.
Last week the local authority was refused permission to appeal the dismissal of its case against the secretary of state for communities and local government.
In his decision notice, the Rt. Hon. Lord Justice Sullivan in the Court of Appeal said that he considered the council’s grounds of appeal “do not have a real prospect of success”.
The council was given seven days to decide whether to request that Lord Justice Sullivan’s decision be reconsidered at an oral hearing before the Court of Appeal.
However, the council has decided not to request this hearing in light of legal advice and after agreement was reached with all the leaders of each of the political groups represented on the council.
Cllr Julian Daly, leader of St Alban’s City & District Council, said: “Sadly, this ends the council’s challenge against the secretary of state’s planning decision. We brought our case against a rail freight interchange at this site because we consider it to be harmful to our Green Belt.
“However, the Judge’s written opinion is clear and given our own legal advice, we have taken the decision not to appeal further.”
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