Oswestry School battlefield car park plans amended

Oswestry School came under fire when it submitted plans in April to build a 42 bay car park on the Maes Y Llan site - thought to be where the battle between King Oswald and King Penda took place.

In response to the objections, bosses have now submitted an amended application to Shropshire Council.

The new application proposes reducing the number of car parking spaces for the site to 27.

A planning statement on behalf of Oswestry School said the plans would not impact on any site of historical importance.

It stated: "The school has undertaken surveys and regularly have 20 staff cars parked on the road due to existing car park facilities being full, either on Upper Brook Street or Maeserfield.

"Given the general uncertainty about the exact location of the battle, and the limited ground disturbance the proposed development will cause, it is the view that the site has low-moderate archaeological potential."

The battle of Maserfield is thought to have taken place in the vicinity of Maes y Llan in AD641 or 642.

During the fighting King Oswald of Northumbria was killed by King Penda of Mercia.

The battle led to the naming of Oswestry after the defeated Christian king.

Sport England, a non-departmental public body which works to make people more active, has also objected the plans on the grounds that it could lead to the loss of use of a playing field.

Maggie Taylor from Sport England said they were concerned about the impact the development would have.

She said: "It is stated that there is no loss of either winter or summer sports pitches however this would not appear to be entirely correct.

"The proposed car parking appears to impact the outfield of a junior cricket pitch."

Sport England has consulted with the English Cricket Board which has suggested the junior cricket pitch be relocated to ensure it is full-size.