Campaigners' legal challenge against Hertfordshire County Council's £34 million sale of the former site of Radlett Airfield will be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice this summer.

On June 11, a judge will be asked to grant permission for a judicial review to go ahead at a hearing. If permission is granted, the judicial review will follow immediately – on the same day.

If the review concludes that Hertfordshire County Council did not follow the correct legal process when selling the land to rail freight developers Segro, the sale will be overturned.

Campaigners from Save St Albans: Fight the Freight argue that when Hertfordshire County Council agreed to buy the land for £1 in the mid-1980s, it was bought as permanent open space for the benefit of the local community.

The council has repeatedly argued that the decision to sell followed all due process.

Herts Advertiser: The council has repeatedly argued that the decision followed all due process.The council has repeatedly argued that the decision followed all due process. (Image: Andy Cairns)

In response to an enquiry about the impending hearing, a spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council said: “We continue to be confident that the sale of the land in Radlett to Segro for use as a strategic fright rail interchange was undertaken in accordance with all due processes.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Nuala Webb, one of the leaders of the Save St Albans: Fight the Freight group, said: "This will be a huge day for us and everyone who lives in the St Albans area.

"If the ruling goes our way it will block the development of a totally unnecessary freight terminal on a totally unsuitable site.”

Save St Albans: Fight the Freight is currently attempting to raise £25,000 to fund their legal challenge against the Green Belt sale. 

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They have already lodged £7,000 with the court to ensure the hearing on June 11 goes ahead.

Cllr Webb added: "We’ve had a great response so far and raised £14,000 in a couple of weeks.

"It shows the strength of feeling locally and a belief in our case, but we need more people to back us. 

"It really is a case that affects the future of our community.”