British Ironwork centre plan hits new hurdle in Oswestry council move

The centre has applied for retrospective planning permission for its retail and leisure complex on the A5 just outside Oswestry.

Because of the size of the application, Shropshire Council asked the town council for its views.

However the decision by the planners ruffled feathers because Oswestry Rural Parish Council, in which the site sits, had not been formally consulted.

The omission was realised at the meeting of the town council which had been due to debate the application.

Town clerk David Preston said there were several members of the public at the meeting and it became clear that the rural parish council had not been formally asked for its views.

Now Oswestry Town Council has written to the unitary authority.

Concerns

In the letter to Shropshire Council Mr Preston wrote: "The councillors wish to strongly highlight their concerns and the precedent that has been set by inviting a council to comment upon an application that relates to another parish.

"We have serious concerns that it would appeal that Oswestry Rural Parish Council has not been fully consulted on this planning application and therefore it is considered that any decision making on this matter can be open to challenge as a proper consultation has not taken place."

The letter said the town council was formally objecting to the planning application until Oswestry Rural Parish Council had been properly consulted.

"At that time the town council would be prepared to view its comments and if considered appropriate. At that time and when the views of Oswestry Rural Parish Council are known then this council would ask for an assurance that highway views and opinions will be reflected in any final report from Shropshire officers to the northern area planning committee."