The developers proposing to build a strategic rail freight interchange on the former Radlett Airfield say they are still keen to buy the land.

A spokeswoman for Helioslough, which is also known as SEGRO, said: “We are aware that Herts County Council (HCC) has been investigating alternative uses for the land at the former airfield and quarry.”

She said that, in 2014, the Department for Communities and Local Government determined that the national need for a strategic rail freight terminal constituted very special circumstances and outweighed the protection of this part of the Green Belt.

The spokeswoman added: “It granted planning permission after extensive public examination and our proposal, which includes a Park Street bypass, country park and highway and transport improvements, remains the only consented scheme for the land.

“We continue to progress our proposals working collaboratively with the county and district councils and other major stakeholders.”

In April this year, Gareth Osborn, a business unit director at SEGRO, wrote to HCC saying: “I should stress that we are absolutely committed to progressing the scheme.

“It will be our intention to submit an offer for the HCC land as soon as we have carried out sufficient due diligence to support that offer.”

Gareth said that, in regards to neighbouring land ownership issues, “we continue to have an active dialogue with Gorhambury and Tarmac. As with HCC we have been in contact to progress site survey due diligence”.

SEGRO has been asked by Network Rail to carry out a piece of work relating to how the needs of the terminal could be accommodated in relation to current and future timetable requirements of the Midland mainline.

Gareth went on: “The findings are positive and as we anticipated. They have been passed to Network Rail for formal sign-off.”

He said that SEGRO is also having “continuing dialogue with the district council” about a programme for submitting reserved matters applications, adding: “I hope this demonstrates our continuing commitment to the scheme. It follows that we remain very interested in acquiring the land from HCC and we will look to submit an offer as soon as the necessary due diligence is in place.”