Roundabouts face a blooming problem

A BLUNDER by North Herts District Council could see floral roundabouts in Royston dug up - or the plants left to die.

The council is having to re-apply for advertising consent for sponsorship signs on its floral roundabouts.

These include roundabouts in Old North Road in Royston.

If permission is denied, the signs will have to be removed, and the accompanying flower beds may be lost.

A spokesman for the district council said: "Following a query about its interpretation of the planning rules, North Herts District Council has decided to apply for advertising consent for the sponsorship signs on its floral roundabouts, in order to regularise the existing position."

Cllr Fiona Hill, chairman of the Royston area committee, said: "The flower beds and displays are the first thing visitors see when they enter Royston.

"The last thing we want to do is lose the sponsorship for them."

Cllr Lynda Needham, the district council's portfolio holder for environment, said: "Many residents and visitors enjoy the floral displays on our roundabouts which are a source of great civic pride.

"We are confident of being granted advertising consent, but if it were refused we would have to look again at the situation."

"It is too early to speculate on what might happen if consent were refused, but we would certainly try to find other ways of making up the shortfall."

At present, 13 roundabouts are sponsored across North Herts, but the district council will apply for advertising consent for a total of 22 roundabouts.

If the application is successful, the scheme could be extended.

Angela Louch, of the Royston in Bloom committee, said: "The flower beds would be an incredible loss to the town.

"The Anglia in Bloom judges have always been impressed by the displays on the roundabouts," she said.