Oliver has responded to the news that the Planning Inspectorate have rejected St Albans District Council’s draft Strategic Local Plan on the grounds that it had not fulfilled its duty to co-operate:

‘As I said in August, a number of neighbouring authorities made the case that the St Albans Council aim of building 436 homes per year was too low. It is clear in his decision that the Planning Inspector is sympathetic to these concerns.

‘Now that St Albans District and City Council’s draft Local Plan has been rejected by the Inspector, there is a real opportunity to look again at the rail freight site.

‘Planning permission for a rail freight terminal has already been granted on the site. This is a material change in circumstance which would fully justify St Albans Council removing the site’s green belt designation.

Earlier this year, Oliver asked Government Ministers about this possibility of the land ear marked for the rail freight terminal being used for another purpose. In the response to Oliver’s questions, the Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Gavin Barwell MP, confirmed that amendments to the Strategic Local Plan can be made to change the planning designation of the land in question. This would effectively enable St Albans Council to consider planning applications for alternative developments on the site.

He added: ‘I have always said that I do not want this green belt site developed at all. If development is to take place, it would be better for all options to be considered for the site, including much needed houses.

‘St Albans Council need to go away and consider what changes they can now make to their strategic local plan. I would strongly urge them to look at all options. If more homes are needed it seems crazy to rule out this blighted site from consideration. The owe it to local people to open minded and to look again at its designation’