4.60
Royston Town Council objects to the land shown on NH Sheet 2 Side B Royston Area being designated as Urban Open Space.

When the Gateway project goes ahead giving access to RY9 site, such designation would preclude expansion of any commercial area to the west of this site. This limitation might also detract from the justification for the Gateway access.

Royston welcomes the opportunity for more commercial and/or leisure development.

It is presumed that this designation is as a result of the recommendation made in 4.16 of the report by BSG ecology commissioned by NHDC "Allocation Site RY1: Land west of Ivy Farm, Baldock Road Recreational impacts on Therfield Heath Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)" June 2016.

Para 4.16 "Incorporation of alternative areas of land of a suitable size for informal recreation purposes to include habitat creation to generate biodiversity and landscape interest. For example the two fields to the north of the allocation site could, for example, be used to create a country park. The layout and design of this alternative greenspace needs to be designed to ensure the park is sufficiently attractive to people and will provide an attractive alternative recreation resource to Therfield SSSI."

Royston Town Council does not agree with this recommendation. In addition, the land is privately owned and there are no means of access for the public as the site is bounded by the railway line and the A505 and the private owned site RY9.