Plans that could see one of Royston’s empty High Street shops become a restaurant have been opposed by a council for a second time.

The building, at 15 High Street, has stood empty since the Garden House Hospice shop, its former occupier, moved to new premises further up the High Street last year. Its owners are now applying for change of use which would allow the building to become offices or a restaurant/cafe if a tenant can be found.

But at a meeting of Royston Town Council’s planning committee on Monday evening, members vowed to oppose the alterations.

Cllr Bob Smith, Royston’s mayor, told The Crow: “We were advised by the town clerk that North Herts District Council is minded to reject the plan anyway because it does not believe enough efforts have been made to find a retail tenant for the site.

“In addition to this, we raised a couple of concerns. one of which was the lack of provision for rubbish bins at the back. Upper King’s Street can look a real mess when all the bins are left out there. There was also a ventilation outlet which would be just above head height that we didn’t like.”

As reported in The Crow in November, a previous attempt to get change of use for the shop was opposed by the town council, with the plans submitted listing the building’s address as being in Liverpool.

Cllr Smith added: “At least this time they have got their facts right, but the plan is exactly the same, though they split it up into two different applications - one for A2 usage [financial/professional services] and one for A3 restaurant/cafe use.

“We will have to wait and see how forceful North Herts District Council are in their opposition.”

The committee resolved to oppose any change of use.