Parish council vows to fight Old Oswestry Hill Fort housing plans
Parish councillors have added their voices to the increasing number of opponents against plans to build homes in the shadow of a major Shropshire landmark.
Gobowen parish councillors said they would object to any plans which would impinge upon the setting of Old Oswestry Hill Fort.
And at a meeting last night they also said they wanted to be fully involved in a site visit to the landmark which was being organised by Oswestry Town Council.
Although the proposed homes would be in the parish of Oswestry Town Council, the hillfort itself actually falls within the parish of Selattyn and Gobowen Parish Council, last night's meeting was told.
Oswestry businessman John Waine told the parish councillors nearly 6,000 people had backed an online campaign opposing the plans to develop three parcels of land near the foot of the Iron Age fort.
The land had been put forward for development under Shropshire Council's SAMDev plans which will govern where housing is allowed in the county for the next decade and more.
He said groups including English Heritage and the Ramblers of Shropshire had also aired their concerns about the housing plans and what effect they would have on the hillfort location and its setting.
Parish councillor Sara Heap said: "We need to remember it is not just for us. It is not just for Shropshire, and it is not just for Britain. It belongs to the world. It should be a World Heritage Site."
Parish clerk Penny O'Hagan said although the hillfort itself was in the parish of Selattyn and Gobowen, the proposed area of development was in the Oswestry Town Council area.
That meant any planning gain, including payments to councils under the Community Infrastructure Levy, would go to Oswestry Town Council, with no funding coming to Gobowen.
Councillor Erica Morgan said the parish council should send a strong message that it objects to any development which impinges on the hillfort.
