Still time to have your say on future of Radlett Airfield site - railfreight depot or housing scheme?
Put the Brakes on Freight - Herts Advertiser campaign - Credit: Archant
Housing or a railfreight depot? Those are the clear options left on the table for the former Radlett Airfield site.
The Herts Advertiser, which has been running a campaign opposing the railfreight scheme for over a decade, is trying to gauge public opinion on a preferred development.
A poll on the homepage of this website asks readers to vote in response to the question: What would you like to see on the former Radlett Airfield site - a strategic rail freight interchange or a new housing scheme?
Because the rail freight scheme has obtained planning permission, an option of ‘none of the above’ is not possible.
Cathy Bolshaw of campaign group STRiFE is urging their supporters to vote in the poll: “Obviously STRiFE would prefer to see the site remain as Green Belt, and are certainly not conceding that anything will happen on the land.
“STRiFE would like to assure you that we are determined to keep up the pressure on Herts county council (HCC) to avoid selling the land to the developer of the strategic rail freight interchange, but clearly HCC are coming under pressure from other sources for the land.
“When we have a definitive answer from the poll then STRiFE will go back to both HCC and also to St Albans district council as the local planning authority, to look at the possibilities of reassessing the former Radlett aerodrome site in the Strategic Local Plan, if necessary and appropriate.
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“STRiFE are still adamantly determined to oppose the SRFI being built on the former Radlett Airfield site, and will endeavour to keep up the pressure where absolutely possible.”
St Albans MP and prominent anti-railfreight campaigner, Anne Main, is also encouraging local residents to respond to the Herts Ad poll on their preference for the future of the site.
Mrs Main said: “Residents’ views are vital and will further bolster the clear local opposition against this ludicrous development.”
Currently there is a strong preference for a new housing scheme over railfreight, according to the poll, but Anne has encouraged more constituents to express their view: “It would be really helpful and informative if local people were to visit the website and register their preference.
“We know that there is clear opposition to the development, so this is a great opportunity to express a clear opinion.”
