DEVELOPER Helioslough has over-stated the difficulties of building a railfreight terminal on other sites, and played down the problems of the former Handley Page airfield, a landscape expert has told the inquiry.

Giving evidence for the district council, Jonathan Billingsley said there was an alternative site at Colnebrook near Slough which would not, as the company claims, involve the destruction of large bodies of water.

He added: “At Bury Dell near Park Street there are areas of mature oak plantations that would be destroyed.

“That is not insignificant.”

After a break for lunch, Mr Billingsleigh is due to complete his evidence in chief and answer questions from Helioslough's barrister Martin Kingston.