A decision on a controversial housing scheme which has already cost St Albans taxpayers more than £130,000 to fight should be known in early June.

Hunston Properties has appealed against two refused schemes - one for 85 homes and another for 116 houses and a 72-bed care home - on land in the Green Belt.

The firm has been trying for several years to have a large residential development, named Sewell Park, accepted for a 12-acre site to the rear of 112-156B Harpenden Road, between Woollams playing fields and St Albans Girls’ School.

After a public inquiry last July, both appeals were called-in by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles.

But a St Albans district council’s cabinet meeting last Thursday (19) was told that although the authority was to have been informed of the decision by Monday (23), the outcome will not be revealed until early June due to an illness within the planning inspectorate.