Campaigners are to challenge the way the former Radlett Airfield was sold off by Hertfordshire County Council at the High Court on Tuesday (June 11).

The former airfield is part of a site that has been earmarked for a strategic rail freight interchange (SRFI).

In June last year Hertfordshire County Council sold it to developers for a reported £34m.

The county council maintain that the decision to sell the land followed all due process.

But campaigners argue that the sale should not have been agreed by the council in the way it was.

They believe the initial purchase of land by the county council was covered by the provisions of the Open Spaces Act (1906).

On Tuesday (June 11) their case will be heard as part of a ‘rolled up’ hearing in the High Court in London.

In the first part of the hearing campaigners will seek permission for a Judicial Review of the council’s decision. If that is granted, the Judicial Review will be heard on the same day.

Ultimately campaigners suggest that if the judge finds in their favour, the land – regardless of who owns it – will have to remain as open space.

“If we were to win, the land would have to be kept undeveloped and as open space for the enjoyment of the public,” said St Albans Cllr Nuala Webb, who has been at the heart of the campaign.

In order to make their argument Cllr Webb and Cllr Terrie Smith have been trawling through council archives and boxes of documents. And on Tuesday they will present their case to the High Court.

Commenting in advance of the hearing, a spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council said they would be defending the decision.

“We will be defending the decision taken by Cabinet and ratified by Full Council to dispose of land in Radlett at the High Court,” said the spokesperson.

“We will present our case as part of a rolled-up hearing on 11 June where a Judge will decide whether to proceed to a Judicial Review.”