Oswestry hillfort homes plan meeting packed by protesters
Archaeologists from across Britain joined campaigners at a meeting to protest against plans for housing close to Oswestry's Iron Age hillfort and described it as the second most important in Britain.
More than 50 people packed into the Guildhall in Oswestry last night to object to the inclusion of three parcels of land in the shadow of Old Oswestry, in Shropshire's development plan for the future.
They said that there should be a full archaeological assessment made before any decision is made.
Oswestry Town Council, a consultee in Shropshire Council's draft SAMdev development proposals, voted to object to land between Jasmine Gardens and the hillfort being zoned for housing.
Councillors stepped back from full support for the inclusion of the redevelopment of Oldport Farm and a parcel of land off the Whittington Road in the SAMdev document.
Instead the council made its support conditional that the inclusion in SAMdev should only be made if a full review of the existing historical assessment is secured by Shropshire Council .
It also called for the council to ensure that it complied with national planning policy and that it scrutinised the document produced by the Oswestry Hill Fort Group.
The council voted seven votes to four against a proposal by Councillor Kerr to oppose the inclusion of all three pieces of land.
Mayor, Councillor Chris Schofield said the council had consulted with English Heritage and extended its consultation with the public.
"We are simply a consultee and I believe that people are over estimating the power of this council "
Among those at the meeting was Dr Rachel Pope, a historian from Liverpool University, who said that the British Archaeological Trust was very concerned at the advice from English Heritage.
"The hillfort is second only in importance to Maiden Castle in the UK and is well known throughout Europe."
Oswestry businessman John Waine said the supporters of the hillfort wanted to see a decision suspended.
"How can a site allocation be made when we do not know what riches lie beneath it," he said.
Edward Bevan, from Ellesmere, said: "This hillfort could be a national magnet for tourism."
Talking for the landowners, the Kempster family of Oldport Farm, Justin Paul, of J10 developments, said the farm site would be sensitively developed and include a public open space and visitor facilities.
"By gifting land it would ensure a legacy for future generations," he said.
More than 6,000 people have signed an online petition against the housing plans, amid fears they will detract from the hillfort and its setting.
The hill, rumoured to be the birthplace of King Arthur's wife, Guinevere, is protected by English Heritage and is one of the most significant of its kind in Europe.
