Developer HelioSlough had submitted new plans to build the strategic rail freight interchange, including warehousing and car parking, on the 1,035-acre site, having had similar original plans rejected two years ago and an appeal to the secretary of state dismissed.

At a meeting attended by 350 objectors, including representatives of First Capital Connect and the Association of Train Operating Companies, the council’s planning committee rejected the latest plans.

Its reasons included the scale of the project, its Green Belt location and a huge increase in lorry movements which local people were concerned about.

FCC’s managing director Jim Morgan and partnership manager Larry Heyman had expressed grave concern at the impact of 12 daily trains into and out of the new interchange on the Thameslink services, a view supported fully by Atoc.

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