A push by Sainsbury’s to build a £2.5 million store on a historic pub’s garden will be decided after a planning appeal hearing in mid-June.

The supermarket giant lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate when St Albans district council rejected its bid to construct a convenience store in the garden of Grade II listed Three Hammers Pub, Watford Road, Chiswell Green.The hearing will start at 10am on Tuesday June 16, in the district council offices in the Civic Centre.

An inspector has been appointed by the Communities Secretary to determine the appeal, with the hearing scheduled for just one day.