Campaigner ‘appalled’ at convenience store backing

A CAMPAIGNER has been left “appalled” after district council officers backed plans for a Royston convenience store, which was opposed by a 540-signature petition.

Clive Porter is fighting the development of the Old Cattle Market – which is currently a car park – on the corner of Market Hill, having opposed a previous proposal, which was rejected.

North Herts District Council (NHDC) threw out the previous design as it was deemed unsympathetic to the conservation area but officers recommended a revised scheme goes ahead.

Mr Porter said: “It is at a very bad spot for traffic and it is not the right store for that corner.

“I’m standing here on Market Hill and the traffic is grid locked and the carparks are full – how do they expect people to park up and use a convenience store and go into town?

“I’m appalled that the council has decided on this, I’m appalled they can be swayed like this.”

As well as parking concerns campaigners are fearful traders would be hit, nearby roads could become more dangerous and that the development would dwarf nearby listed buildings.

Royston Town Council objected to the scheme and the previous design.

NHDC would not comment on the application as it is still to be discussed.

Council officers have given the project a raft of recommendations, and councillors must still decide whether to approve the project on September 13.

The shop would create the equivalent of 18 full time jobs and the flats would provide homes for four people.

Manhattan Corporation, the developer, was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.