A campaign group's battle to stop the rail freight terminal development on the site of the old Radlett airfield has been backed by MPs.
St Albans MP Daisy Cooper and Hertsmere MP Oliver Dowden both spoke in support of Save St Albans: Fight the Freight, during a meeting at Greenwood Park Community Centre on Sunday (March 3).
"I am pleased that Save St Albans: Fight the Freight will have their day in the High Court where the decision to sell the land will be reviewed," said Mr Dowden.
"I am alarmed that Hertfordshire County Council approved the sale of the site, paving the way for this rail freight terminal.
"It will clog our roads, blight our countryside and put further pressure on the Thameslink line. I would urge all affected residents to back this ongoing campaign."
Hertfordshire County Council's £34m sale of the former Radlett Airfield will be reviewed in the High Court, after campaigners argued it was unlawful.
The former airfield is part of a site that’s been earmarked by developers Segro for a strategic rail freight interchange.
READ MORE: Radlett Airfield sale for rail freight terminal goes to High Court
Save St Albans: Fight the Freight claims Hertfordshire County Council's sale of 300 acres of metropolitan Green Belt was unlawful, because the land had been designated as permanent open space when the council bought it for £1 in the 1980s, and should not be developed.
"I've fought the government and county council every step of the way, as they pressed ahead to dump this freight terminal on our community," said Ms Cooper.
"I met with Segro before Christmas, after Hertfordshire County Council completed the sale of their land. Segro agreed to organise a public meeting to answer questions from residents early in the New Year.
"Following weeks of delays and excuses, I was deeply concerned when they u-turned on that commitment altogether."
One of the campaign leaders, Cllr Nuala Webb, added: "We believe we have a strong case and a strong legal argument with clear evidence that when the land was purchased, the purpose of the acquisition was to maintain it as undeveloped permanent open space for the benefit of the community.
"The fact we raised around £4,000 on Sunday afternoon alone shows the strength of feeling among local people and shows they believe this is a fight they think we have a good chance of winning."
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