The planning inquiry to consider the appeal by Helioslough, regarding the refusal by the District Council’s Planning Referrals Committee of their planning application for a Rail Freight Terminal in July 2009, will start at 10am on Tuesday 24th November 2009 in the Council Chamber in St Peter’s Street St Albans.
The inquiry will be open to the public. Due to the high level of interest in this appeal, everything will be done to accommodate as many people as possible. The Chamber can seat approximately 100 people, although some of these seats will be taken by the Planning Inspector, the legal teams for the parties, their witnesses and speakers.
The inquiry will sit from 10am Tuesday to Friday each week for approximately 16 days, with the exception of Thursday 10 and Friday 11 December.
For the first day and the last two days of the Inquiry there will be a live webcast. The first day will show the opening speeches of Counsel, which can be viewed by going directly to: http://www.stalbans.ukcouncil.net/site/player/index.php?a=31675 The other two webcast days will be accessible via www.stalbans.ukcouncil.net
There is an online help and FAQ page if you experience problems with the webcast: www.stalbans.ukcouncil.net/site/help.php.
There will also be a Rail Freight link from the home page of the council’s website www.stalbans.gov.uk, which will have updates as to the progress and the programme of events.
All seats for members of the public will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Should you have a disability and wish to reserve a seat in advance, please contact the Programme Officer, Lesley Young by telephoning 01727 819304, or send texts, emails, voicemail to the mobile number 07920 823637 or by writing to her at the:-
District Council Offices
St Peter’s Street
St Albans
Herts AL1 3JE
There are three marked parking bays reserved for blue badge holders in the service road near the Council Offices.
Any member of the public will have the opportunity to speak at the Inspector’s discretion. Anyone wishing to speak must register their interest in advance by contacting Lesley Young via e-mail: pins.appeals@stalbans.gov.uk or by telephone on the numbers above. The sessions for public speeches after the start of the Inquiry and the dates of these will be on the District Council’s website.
STRIFE are calling witnesses to represent Napsbury Park Residents Association, Napsbury Lane Residents’ Association, St Stephen Parish Council, Park Street Residents’ Association, Chiswell Green Residents’ Association, Bricket Wood Residents’ Association, the Radlett Society and the Green Belt Association.
A set of proofs of evidence, summaries of proofs and statements of common ground, will be available for inspection at the District Council Offices from Monday 2nd November. Anyone wishing to view these documents during office hours should make arrangements with Lesley Young, to do so. They cannot be removed from the premises. All witnesses are expected to provide a summary proof of evidence where their main proof exceeds 3000 words. It is intended that the summaries will be available for viewing on the District Council’s website: www.stalbans.gov.uk by clicking on the Rail Freight link.
The car park in Bricket Road is closed to the public on week days but parking is available in Russell Avenue and Drover’s Way car parks (behind Bhs), and in the London Road.
The council has written to approximately 9,000 local residents who made representations at the application stage, advising them of the inquiry arrangements.
After completion of the Inquiry the Planning Inspector will send his report to the Secretary of State who will make the final decision. Anyone who would like a copy of the decision on the appeal should request this by writing to the Planning Inspector at the:-
Planning Inspectorate
Room 4/04 Kite,
Temple Quay House,
2 The Square,
Temple Quay.
Bristol BS1 6PN
Quote reference: APP/B1930//07/2045747/NWF
Or via email to sarah.banwell@pins.gsi.gov.uk
Member contact:
Cllr Chris Brazier, portfolio holder for planning and conservation
St Albans City and District Council
01727 823586
Contact for the press:
Davina Mansell, information and communication officer
Tel: 01727 819316 E-mail: davina.mansell@stalbans.gov.uk
St Albans City and District Council
www.stalbans.gov.uk