A SECOND scheme for the Ling Dynamics site in Royston has been branded ludicrous". Members of Royston Town Council's planning committee decided to oppose the new scheme at a meeting on Monday evening. The plans have already been condemned by a residents

A SECOND scheme for the Ling Dynamics site in Royston has been branded "ludicrous". Members of Royston Town Council's planning committee decided to oppose the new scheme at a meeting on Monday evening. The plans have already been condemned by a residents living nearby to the site in Baldock Road. Committee chairman Cllr Philip Mayne said it appeared that the revised scheme had "hardly changed". The proposals now show a slight reduction with the planning application now for 61 flats, eight affordable houses, and 13 affordable flats. The new scheme would be developed on part of the site, while the rest of the land is earmarked for a separate scheme which would see the building of 63 sheltered residential apartments. Royston's mayor Cllr Bill Prime said he was not "impressed" with the scheme which gave almost the appearance of the original planning application. "The density of the scheme is ludicrous and this is a key site," he said. "I am totally against it." Cllr Lynn Berry said the scheme was an over-development on the site. She said: "I don't think the developer has taken on board our comments when the original plan was discussed." Members decided to oppose the scheme because it was an over-development and would have an impact on an area which overlooks Therfield Heath. The committee added that the development would cause pressure on utilities and services in the area. Pete Myring, of the Heath Avenue and Chilcourt Residents' Association, has said the changes to the scheme was not even "a token gesture". "If carried through the plans will have serious long-term implications for the west side of Royston. The plans are awful," he said. - In an exclusive report in The Crow last month Ling Dynamics said it planned to remain in Royston. Chief finance officer Mark Shannahan said: "We are not looking at locations outside Royston at the moment." The company - now known as LDS Test and Measurement - was set up in Royston 40 years ago. "We are going to try to stay here because we don't want to lose any staff," said Mr Shannahan.