Campaigners are considering their options after a High Court judge dismissed an application for a judicial review into the sale of Radlett Aerodrome.

The dispute began in 2023, when Hertfordshire County Council announced plans to sell the 1,000 acre site to real estate company Segro.

St Albans: Fight the Freight lodged an application for a judicial review, believing the sale of the land was 'unlawful' under the Metropolitan Green Belt Act of 1938.

They argued that when the council agreed to buy the land in the 1980s for just £1 it was on the condition it was to be preserved as permanent open space and could not be sold for development. 

But Mrs Justice Leiven ruled today (June 12) that the sale of the former RAF site was lawful, pointing to the fact the land had not been used as open space, despite the original intention.

Campaigner Cllr Nula Webb said: "It's bitterly disappointing as the judge agreed that when the councillors agreed to buy the land in 1985 it was so they could protect it from development.  This only makes the judgement harder to accept."

Cllr Terrie Fox, another campaigner for the group, said: "We will consider an appeal. Support from the local community has been fantastic and we want to thank everyone who has donated.

"We believe we have grounds to appeal but we have to mindful of the potential costs and how an appeal could be funded."

The group have already fundraised £60,000 to cover their legal fees in this case.

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Segro have begun work on building a freight terminal on the land, which campaigners say will bring thousands of extra lorries and vans every day onto already congested local roads.

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council said: "The decision taken by the judge today to dismiss the case prior to a judicial review is welcome and we will now turn our attention to working with the local district council to maximise the economic benefits that the sale will bring."

Campaigners will now await the written judgement (set to be published next week) before considering their options.