Legal advice on the next step to prevent a major rail freight depot being built at Park Street is still awaited by the district council.

It follows last week’s decision by Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles to grant planning permission for developers Helioslough to build a Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) on the site of the former Radlett Airfield.

The development which is largely on land owned by the county council would comprise five large buildings covering 3.5 million sq ft. A bypass would be constructed in Park Street and a country park established.

Councillors of all political persuasions united in condemnation of the decision at last week’s full meeting of St Albans council. Fighting the scheme over the past eight years has already cost £1.4 million.

Cllr Jacob Quagliozzi told the meeting: “It is important that we leave party politics out of this one.

“I don’t think anyone would deny there would be a significant impact on the district as a whole, particularly London Colney and Park Street. Residents are very angry and there is a great deal of trepidation about what comes next.”

Mayor Geoff Harrison, who chaired the meeting, added: “It is a disaster for this city.”

Any challenge to the Secretary of State’s decision in the High Court has to be made by August 22.