Commenting on the news that Herts CC Cabinet looks set to give in to Helioslough, Cllr Anthony Rowlands, leader of the Liberal Democrats on SADC, said:

‘This is bitterly disappointing news. For the past six years the District Council has fought tooth and nail to defeat this devastating proposal. In that time, the Council has spent £1.4 million of public money on external consultants, counsel fees, court order costs, public enquiry costs and other court fees. This has been incurred on two appeals by Heliolough, including representations to the Secretary of State and three High Court orders. This would have been enough to create 10 new  children’s’ play areas.

‘Now we learn the Tory led  County Council is preparing to capitulate. Assertions from County Council leaders that  they are interested in what is known as ‘partnership working’  with  District Councils are clearly just a smokescreen.  Given an opportunity to fill their coffers, they just take the money and run, leaving our District’s residents to suffer the consequences of this massively damaging proposal.’