New plans are 'not even a token gesture'

DEVELOPERS have altered controversial plans to build on the Ling Dynamics site in Royston. The plans were withdrawn for amendments and have now been re-submitted with just five dwellings removed from the 150 previously proposed. But the Heath Avenue and Chilcourt Residents' Association, which was set up in opposition to the proposals, see no real changes to the scheme. Group spokesman Pete Myring said: "It's not even enough for a token gesture. There's no real change as far as we are concerned." Two planning applications have been submitted to be built side-by-side on the site. The first from Stephen Howard Homes, has had four flats and one house removed and now comprises of 61 one and two-bedroom flats and 21 affordable homes. The second application from McCarthy and Stone, for a block of 63 sheltered apartments, remains the same. Mr Myring said: "Our group had a meeting and the conclusion was that they were very likely to try this. It's disappointing, but not a surprise. "I don't know their motivation for doing this, it's not really any where near enough of a change." The original proposals were criticised when they were discussed by Royston Town Council's planning committee in January. Cllr Rod Kennedy branded the proposals "awful". He said: "If carried through, they will have serious long-term implications for the west side of Royston. This development is nothing - the plans are awful." Mr Myring said the residents' group will continue opposing the re-submitted proposals. "It's very much the same application and our submission might be changed slightly, but we will still be opposing this strongly," he said. The plans were previously due to be discussed at a meeting of North Herts District Council's Royston area committee last night (Wednesday). The re-submitted scheme is expected to be discussed when the committee meets next month. No-one from Stephen Howard Homes was available for comment at the time of going to press. - If the scheme is given the go-ahead then Ling Dynamics has said it will be looking to re-locate. When the original scheme was submitted the company said it was talking to agents about moving its operations to a site in the Orchard Road area. A spokesman for the company said: "If possible Ling Dynamics prefers to stay in Royston.