Nearly 300 homes green-lit for edge of Royston

A development of almost 300 homes on the edge of Royston is one step closer after the planning application received the go-ahead on Wednesday night.North Herts District Council’s planning control committee resolved to grant permission for 279 homes on land west of Royston, to the north of Baldock Road, and provision of a site for a new first school at the eastern end of the site – adjacent to the Kier housing scheme.Planning officer Richard Tiffin recommended that members resolve to grant permission for the application by E W Pepper Limited, subject to the completion of a satisfactory section 106 agreement and other legal requirements.According to the plans, 35 per cent of the housing would be affordable and £1,000 per dwelling would go towards the management of the heath, £100,000 towards improved visitor facilities on Therfield Heath, £200,000 towards community facilities in the town, and nearly £100,000 toward GP services in the Royston area – as well as £250,000 toward an extended bus service.The scheme will also need to deliver an upgrade to the existing foul water system for the area – an upgrade which should benefit existing neighbours.