CAMPAIGNERS burst into applause at a meeting on Monday night when councillors unanimously threw out the second application for a rail depot at the former Radlett Aerodrome. But developer Helioslough has confirmed there will be an immediate appeal, with a second public inquiry already scheduled for October 12.

Although the application is being fought by St Albans District Council, Hertsmere Borough Council has backed the campaign against it and contributed £30,000 towards the estimated £700,000 cost of the battle.

A special meeting of the St Albans District Council planning referrals committee heard several speeches against the controversial proposal and one in favour from Helioslough spokesman Simon Hoare.

The meeting heard the authority received about 1,200 letters against the project and only one or two in favour. Last-minute objections were submitted by Hertsmere Borough Council, Hertfordshire County Council and the Association of Train Operating Companies.

Adrian Wallace, spokesman for campaign group Strife (Stop The Rail International Freight Exchange), told the panel: “This will turn a substantial section of the Green Belt into a huge industrial complex.

“It will have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of everyone living in the area. We know the cost of resisting an appeal will be substantial, but you must stand firm.”

Hertsmere Borough Council’s objections centred around the “potentially devastating effects” on the Green Belt because of “visual intrusion and noise”.

The borough’s planning chiefs said in the short term, traffic dust and air pollution would have negative effects, with congestion on road networks highlighted as longer term problems.

There were also concerns about the impact of additional rail journeys through the borough at antisocial hours and additional pressures on housing.

Councillor Morris Bright, leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, said: “Our position has not changed and we will do whatever we are able to help in this fight against this outrageous plan.

“The impact on the lives of the residents, traders and business within Radlett and out as far as Borehamwood would be catastrophic.

“We do not have the correct infrastructure on the roads and to cope with the increase in vehicles would be very difficult.

“We will look very carefully at what contribution we can make whether that be officers advice or financially to support the fight.”

The first application was thrown out in October 2008 after an eight-week public inquiry, mainly because of flaws in the alternative sites assessment. But Helioslough attempted to show there was nowhere else in the Home Counties north-west of London to build a major rail-connected freight terminal other than the former airfield between Park Street and London Colney.

The renewed application is supported by a new sites assessment, likely to prove critical at the second public inquiry.

Mr Hoare quoted Government advice indicating that developers’ appeal costs can be awarded against local authorities refusing planning applications already approved in principle by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

But transport expert and planning consultant Ben Wilson, acting for St Albans, said: “We feel there is a lack of objectivity in the site selection report.

“If you chose a different weighting method it is possible you would get a different answer.”