THE Priory Cinema site in Royston has been described as an eyesore -and the owners are being urged to carry out a clean up operation. Cllr Bill Prime told members of the planning committee that the site was an absolute dreadful place . It has been left u

THE Priory Cinema site in Royston has been described as an eyesore -and the owners are being urged to carry out a clean up operation.

Cllr Bill Prime told members of the planning committee that the site was "an absolute dreadful place".

It has been left untouched from the day the cinema was demolished in September, 2002.

The site is owned by Letchworth Palace which is believed to have earmarked the site for a homes development.

But development of the site will not begin until the now disused open-air swimming pool is demolished and the lease runs out on a restaurant occupying the rest of the site.

Cllr Prime urged the committee to call for a clean up of the site.

Cllr Chris Barton said the owners had "a duty to the community" to make sure the site was in a reasonable condition.

"The owners should be reminded that they are allowing the site to become an eyesore," he said.

Cllr Rod Kennedy said, however, that there were no planning laws about the upkeep of a site. "All the owners have to do is to ensure that the site is secure."

But the committee decided to urge Letchworth Palace to clean up the site.

Cllr Prime was concerned, too, about the deterioration of the former Precious garage site in Melbourn Road, Royston, but he was assured that development was likely to begin soon.