A NEW focal point for Royston could be created at Fish Hill square. Questionnaires have been distributed to local businesses and residents asking them how they would like to see the square, at the bottom of Fish Hill and Market Hill, developed. A worksh

A NEW "focal point" for Royston could be created at Fish Hill square.

Questionnaires have been distributed to local businesses and residents asking them how they would like to see the square, at the bottom of Fish Hill and Market Hill, developed. A workshop for stakeholders will take place in February so that ideas can be assessed and discussed.

The site was identified in 2007 as part of North Herts District Council's Royston town centre strategy, which identified parts of the town which could be redeveloped.

Cllr Fiona Hill, chairman of the district council's Royston area committee, said: "There have been a few informal discussions already between interested parties, and this is the first part of the official consultation.

"We would like Fish Hill to be a focal point for Royston, and will be looking at the different ways of doing that."

Currently cars can park in the square, and Cllr Hill said one option could be for it to continue to be used in this way, and be closed off when events are taking place.

She added: "You can enter the square from at least five different directions, so it really is at the heart of Royston."

Christine Phillips, from the district council's planning department, said that at the moment there are no ideas on the table.

She said: "We're going into this with an open mind, we just want to get all the businesses and residents in the area together to see what they would like done with the square, and whether there will be any issues that arise regarding access.

"There are a lot of flats nearby in Jepps Lane and other roads, and we need to ensure they can still be accessed properly."

Ms Phillips added that there was currently no set timescale on implementing changes to Fish Hill square, and that more public consultation is likely to take place further down the line.

The stakeholder's workshop takes place at The Meridian School on Tuesday, February 2, starting at 7pm. For more information, contact the district council on 01462 474000.