There will be a public inquiry into the land swap application at Royston’s Therfield Heath, the Planning Inspectorate has confirmed today.

The Conservators of Therfield Heath and Greens submitted an application in March to deregister heath land near to Briary Lane and Sun Hill under section 16 of the Commons Act 2006 and swap it with woodland of the same size to the west of New Road near Therfield.

The clerk to the Conservators, David Smith, said that a possible £1 million profit – from selling off the land to developers for eight new houses – would be spent on sports facilities and the general running costs of the heath.

This was met with mixed reaction from the people of Royston and surrounding villages, with some taking the view that the reinvestment is much needed, and others saying the Royston landmark shouldn’t be built upon.

A Planning Inspectorate spokeswoman told the Crow: “The public inquiry will begin on Tuesday, January 30, at Coombes Community Centre in Burns Road, continuing on subsequent days if necessary.”

The Crow is awaiting further details on the nature of the inquiry, and understands letters are to be sent out to interested parties.