St Albans District Council will not take forward an appeal to challenge the dismissal of its case against the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

The council had challenged the Secretary of State’s decision to grant planning permission for a £300m strategic rail freight interchange at Park Street.

The High Court dismissed the council’s challenge on March 13.

A month later, the council applied to the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal the dismissal - but was told last week that permission has been refused.

In his decision, Rt. Hon. Lord Justice Sullivan said that he considers the grounds of appeal put forward by the council do not have a real prospect of success.

The council has decided not to request that Lord Justice Sullivan’s decision is reconsidered at an oral hearing before the Court of Appeal.

The council’s leader Julian Daly said: “Sadly, this ends the council’s challenge against the Secretary of State’s planning decision.

"We brought our case against a rail freight interchange at this site because we consider it to be harmful to our Green Belt.

“However, the Judge’s written opinion is clear and given our own legal advice, we have taken the decision not to appeal further.”

For a timeline of events regarding the battle to build a freight terminal in Park Street, click here.