A BMX club is to meet with its neighbours after seeing plans for a new office and storage facility at its track rejected.

Earlier this year, Royston Rockets BMX Club submitted a planning application to build an on-site storage facility and event office at its track, off Burns Road, Royston.

But following 11 objections from nearby residents, the application was refused by North Herts District Council.

Now the Rockets are planning to hold an ‘open forum’ for residents to talk about their plans for the future.

Phil Townsend, Royston Rockets chairman, said: “Before submitting a revised application, we are holding an open forum at the Coombes Community Centre, as an opportunity to meet and discuss such proposals with our close neighbours, covering the possible issues / benefits such a facility might offer.

“There will be a short presentation about the facilities currently available, the limitations and of the reasoning behind the Club’s proposals, followed by a more open discussion about a potential way forward.”

The Rockets track reopened last year following a £100,000 revamp, which saw a new ramp installed. It has proved popular with youngsters in the town and beyond, with the club hosting regular meetings.

Currently the club use a trailer as a make-shift office, which is towed to the track for each event. The main benefit of the new facility, they say, would be that qualified coaches could run courses at the track without having to rely on people to store equipment at their homes.

However, the district council’s planners were not impressed with the look of the unit, which would resemble a large container.

In her report, the district council’s planning manager Mary Caldwell said: “Its utilitarian appearance and prominent siting, in what is a predominantly residential area, it is considered that the proposed container style accommodation would be materially harmful to the reasonable visual amenities of the area and prejudicial to the quality of the landscape and open space pattern of the town.”

The open forum will be held at Coombes Community Centre on Wednesday July 2, starting at 7.30pm.

*What do you think? Email postbag@royston-crow.co.uk.