A three-day public inquiry into the future of former railway land in Oswestry opens on Monday.

The controversial site is on five acres off Gobowen Road.

It is owned by Advantage West Midlands and had been earmarked for a health village.

But a battle stretching back more than three years over the future of the land has seen it lying unused.

The cost of the hearing is expected to run into tens of thousands of pounds.

Residents June McCarthy and Sue Davies lodged a bid to designate the land a town green, thwarting plans to build a medical centre with associated health services.

But an independent inspector rejected their bid following a public inquiry in 2006, lodged under the Commons Registration Act 1965.

However, in their fight to keep the former railway land as open space, a fresh bid has been put forward under a new law – the Commons Act 2006.

Under the new legislation people have up to five years in which to object to building on areas they wish to register as common land. Advantage West Midlands has again objected to the application.

A spokesman for Shropshire County Council said: “An application has been made to register the railway land as a town green.

“Shropshire County Council – as registration authority – has appointed an independent inspector to carry out a public inquiry into the application.”

The public inquiry is at The Lord Moreton, Moreton Park, Gledrid, near Chirk, from Monday to Wednesday.

The times of the inquiry are Monday, 11am to 5pm, and 6pm to 8pm. Tuesday, 10am to 5pm, and Wednesday, 10am to 5pm.

Members of the public are welcome to attend.

The inspector will also carry out a site visit at some point during the inquiry.