HARLINGTON north of Luton is not a suitable location for a railfreight terminal, according to planning witness Richard Tilley.

The owners of land near Junction 12 of the M1 motorway are keen to develop it as a railfreight terminal and have submitted written evidence to the inquiry supporting it as an alternative to Helioslough's scheme.

Mr Tilley said the area had already been considered and rejected in the council's sites study.

He said: “I have no major disagreement with the council about Harlington.

“There is a major landscaping problem, and there is rail access only onto the fast line.”

Harlington is close to but distinct from Sundon, another alternative railfreight site backed by Luton Borough Council.

The inquiry has broken for lunch with Mr Tilley due to be cross-examined from 1.30pm.