A masterplan for housing on the Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) site has been released by a developer.
Since some Green Belt in Park Street was included in the draft St Albans Local Plan, Taylor Wimpey has produced a document outlining housing proposals for the land, which they intend to use for a garden village.
However, SRFI developers HelioSlough also have planning permission for that same site, and have threatened legal action if St Albans district council (SADC) continues to pursue housing.
Taylor Wimpey is now asking residents of St Albans which they would prefer - SFRI or housing - in an online poll.
Land and planning director at Taylor Wimpey North Thames, Andy Holloway, said they have been eyeing up the site for years: “Although we do not own the site, we believe that the garden village brings many benefits and will be the best option for the local area.
“For that reason we have produced this indicative plan of what could be achieved and would like to understand whether the local community would prefer the garden village option to the rail freight option.”
The plan includes one new secondary and two new primary schools, parks and open spaces, health facilities, a central social hub with commercial opportunities, and 2,300 homes - 920 of which would be affordable.
There is also the potential for a new bypass to Frogmore and links to How Wood and Park Street stations.
St Albans MP Anne Main said: “Clearly considerably more work would need to be done and lots of studies undertaken, but this initial masterplan is a good starting point to have the discussion around the garden village.
“What I am very clear on however is that a garden village is far better for St Albans than rail freight. I would encourage everyone to take the poll and send a clear message - garden village not rail freight.”
Former St Albans MP Kerry Pollard said: “For many years I have been arguing that this site should be used to provide much needed homes in St Albans, particularly affordable homes.
“Rail freight provides no local benefits and will cause major disruption; I would ask everyone to take this poll and support new housing.”
Have your say in the poll above, which will run throughout September.
Contact PSGV@fourcommunications.com for more information about the masterplan.
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