Oswestry's British Ironwork Centre under fire over plans

And Colin Coxon says living near the British Ironwork Centre, near Oswestry, is like being ‘in a war zone’.

Owner Clive Knowles applied for retrospective planning permission last year after it was revealed he bypassed planning regulations as he turned the centre into one of Shropshire’s most successful venues.

But a neighbour has now objected to the plans and has asked Shropshire Council to refuse permission.

In a letter to the local authority, Colin Coxon said: “The noise from the public address system can be heard clearly, word by word, from our garden.

“It is an unwelcome disturbance, particularly at weekends.

“Secondly, at a recent musical event held at the centre, we were subjected to an intense and lengthy bombardment of high percussion fireworks which seemed to explode right above our property causing our animals to be terrified as well as waking us up.

“It felt like we were in a war zone.”

Mr Coxon also raised concerns about cars exiting onto the B5009 which is an accident black spot.

He added: “As such, I am very concerned that in the event retrospective planning is approved, the site will be utilised for more and more event of a similar nature causing annoyance and distress.

“Surely this should be discouraged or will any other Tom, Dick or Clive throughout the county be allowed to carry on in a similar vein?”

The Ironworks, which is based on the A5 south of Oswestry, turned a warehouse into a showroom and constructed new toilets without the necessary permission.

But Mr Knowles says it was done quickly to accommodate a royal visit, when Prince Michael dropped in to the centre.

The application has received hundreds of support comments from visitors, charities, community groups and more who say the Ironworks is good for the town.

The application includes changing the use of land and buildings, building extensions to form an enterprise centre, and creating visitor parking areas, camping field, nature reserve and children’s play area.