The High Court in London today refused to back plans to build a major rail freight interchange on green belt land near Slough, Berkshire.
Goodman Logistics Development (UK) took the case to the High Court after the Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government refused the company planning permission last year.
Goodman wanted to build a terminal, the Slough International Freight Exchange, to move freight between road and rail. It also planned to build large warehouses, a connecting railway line, and road improvements.
Local residents groups have opposed the plans.
In the judgment, Holgate J, giving ruling, said the battle to build a terminal on the site had “a long history”. In 1999 a different company wanted to build a much larger terminal on the site, but permission was refused in 2002.
Goodman claimed that the government department erred when it refused the company permission in 2016. It says that the Nation Policy Statement for National Networks stated there was a “compelling need for an expanded network” of such terminals “to serve regional, sub-regional and cross-regional markets”.
Goodman also claimed the department made mistakes in its decision-making process.
However, in a 35-page judgement, Holroyd J backed upheld the original decision, and dismissed the claim.
Goodman Logistics Developments (UK) Limited v Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government, Planning Court (Holgate J) 27 April 2017
