CAMPAIGNERS claimed a two-metre high fence planned as part of a housing development would be like a Berlin wall for Royston. The North Royston Action Group, formed by residents opposed to the 250-home Fairview development being planned for land adjacent

CAMPAIGNERS claimed a two-metre high fence planned as part of a housing development would be like a "Berlin wall" for Royston.

The North Royston Action Group, formed by residents opposed to the 250-home Fairview development being planned for land adjacent to Burns Road, voiced concerns after a meeting with Fairview representatives at Coombes Community Centre.

The barrier would shield the development from noise generated by traffic on the nearby A505 Royston bypass.

A spokesman for the group said: "The building of this barrier is not highlighted in any publicity from Fairview, instead it is only found from wading through the many detailed accompanying documents for the Planning Application.

"What perception of the town will this give? Members of the group have called it a "Berlin Wall."

John Baines, Fairview Home's planning manager, said the development would be designed so that the gateways to Royston would be "preserved as green spaces."

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- Plans to increase parking charges in Royston by up to 30 pence per hour were revealed. The move came because North Herts district council said it needed to generate �1.3million to plug a gap in its finances.

- Cold hearted thieves pulled the plug on Christmas celebrations in one Royston home by stealing Christmas lights. Owner of the lights Cheryl Boswell had left them on her doorstep to charge up.

- A driver cause chaos by speeding down the A505 in the wrong direction. One motorist who swerved to avoid the car said "I thought I was going to die.