Plans for a distribution centre which could see lorries travelling to and from the site 24 hours a day have caused concern among councillors.

The owners of a vacant warehouse in Orchard Road, Royston, have applied for change of use permission to have the site reclassified for B8 usage – storage and distribution.

At a meeting of Royston Town Council’s planning committee on Monday night, councillors discussed the impact this might have on nearby residents.

Royston’s mayor, Cllr Bob Smith, said: “This seems to be quite a big storage and distribution centre. According to the plans there will be 56 people working there, with 30 car parking space, as well as space for 10 lorries and 20 trailers.

“The application says it will be running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for transport purposes, and I objected to this on the grounds that it might affect people living in the nearby residential areas.”

The warehouse has stood vacant for some time, and the previous use of the site is unknown.

Councillors sent the application back to North Herts District Council, who will have the final say, recommending that restrictions be put on place on vehicle movements, or that a review of the impact the centre is having on the area be carried out in a year’s time.

Cllr Smith said: “District councillor Fiona Hill was at Monday’s meeting, and told us that lorry movements are already causing an issue in Orchard Road because satnav systems send all the drivers down there rather than through York Way.

“We were happy for the change of use, but would like to see some conditions put in place about the lorry movements.”