The fight against the contentious proposed mammoth rail freight depot at a former airfield has been dealt a further blow, after the district council was refused permission to appeal.
The council had challenged the Secretary of State’s decision to grant planning permission for a strategic rail freight interchange at Park Street near St Albans.
The High Court dismissed the authority’s challenge on March 13.
On April 13, the council applied to the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal that dismissal of its court challenge against the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
But the council received notice yesterday (Monday), that permission has been refused.
In his decision, Lord Justice Sullivan said that he considered the grounds of appeal put forward by the council did not have a real prospect of success.
The authority now has seven days to decide whether to request that his decision is reconsidered at an oral hearing before the Court of Appeal.
A council spokeswoman said: “We will take advice from our legal advisors before making this decision.”
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