THE future of Royston Hospital was thrown into doubt. The North and East Herts Primary Care Trust (PCT) blocked plans by the Friends of Royston Hospital to construct a new �100,000 dayroom on the site. In an email to the Friends they said this was because

THE future of Royston Hospital was thrown into doubt.

The North and East Herts Primary Care Trust (PCT) blocked plans by the Friends of Royston Hospital to construct a new �100,000 dayroom on the site.

In an email to the Friends they said this was because the building would be "in use for very little time" because of "plans being implemented on the site in 2011."

This led to fears that the facility could be closed or redeveloped.

Jenny Routledge, from the Friends of Royston Hospital, said: "We've fought to save the hospital three times before and will do so again if necessary."

Royston MP Oliver Heald organised a summit meeting between all the stakeholders in the hospital, while The Crow launched our Hands off our Hospital campaign to highlight to the PCT the importance of keeping this vital local facility.

Also in the news...

- Roland Digby hailed a "victory for common sense" after charges of assault against him were dropped. He had been charged after attempting to make a citizens arrest on a group of yobs, but the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to take the case to court.

- There were fears that a playground at Betjemen Road, Royston, may be removed after North Herts district council deemed it to have "no strategic value."

- Another new development of more than 250 homes was announced. Outline plans to build on land adjacent to Burns Road and Coombelands were announced by Fairview Homes.