Plans for a new gateway to Royston, providing jobs and a Waitrose supermarket, have been on display.

The Royston Gateway scheme would see an additional junction off the A505 built on the outskirts of Royston, next to the Orchard Way industrial estate.

The site would also house an additional storage facility for Johnson Matthey, as well as a Waitrose and has potential for other retail units. The Waitrose store would bring 130 new jobs to the town.

A public exhibition was held at The Heath sports club on Friday, and 300 residents attended to view the plans.

Philip Pearce, of Royston Gateway developer Kiafield Properties, said: “We have really pleased with the turn out and the overall response has been very positive.

“The project would provide a new entrance to the Orchard Road industrial estate, and we think this will reduce traffic going into Royston [on Old North Road] by 20-40 per cent.

“I know Waitrose have been looking to come to Royston for a number of years, and Johnson Matthey need to expand their operation in the town.” Mr Pearce added that he was confident there was demand for the extra business units the project would create.

He said: “The estate is pretty full already and we have already been approached by a couple of existing businesses who would be interested in moving into larger premises.”

Rory Masureik, general manager at Johnson Matthey’s Royston headquarters, was also present at the exhibition to answer questions.

He said: “It makes a lot more sense to have this new facility in Royston – our operation will be slicker, and it will create an additional 35 jobs for people in the area.

“We want our Royston site to be sustainable in the long term and this project would help us do that.”

Kiafield Properties say they have received more than 600 responses to consultation leaflets, which have been posted to homes in Royston.

Residents can also view the plans, and have their say online at www.roystongateway.co.uk