Shropshire Star

Council adamant over protection for Oswestry hillfort

Oswestry Town Council says it is adamant it will not back any plans that would damage the archaeological or historical impact of the town's hillfort.

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Oswestry’s Iron Age hillfort is widely regarded as one of the most significant landmarks of its kind in Europe

The statement was made by town mayor Chris Schofield at a meeting to discuss a proposed housing development near the base of the Iron Age monument.

More than 30 members of the public attended the meeting at Oswestry Guildhall last night to air their views on the proposals, which have been made under Shropshire Council's SAMDev plan to earmark preferred sites for new development.

Neil Phillips, from Chapel Street, Oswestry, told councillors they should take the views of the public into account when making comments to Shropshire Council.

He said: "In a very short period we've had just over 6,000 people sign a petition, mainly local people who have been protesting about this housing development idea.

"I think it is important the town council should hear the views of the people of the town and the town council should take that into consideration when feeding back to Shropshire Council."

Maggie Rowlands, from Chirk Bank, said she was worried the reports written by Shropshire Council as part of the SAMDev proposals were not accurate. She said: "The report states that as the hedges around the hillfort are overgrown there's no point worrying about the views from the bypass. But in fact it's from the bypass that you get the best views and the sense of its size and shape. If you know the area then you know that the report is selective and misleading."

After hearing from the public, Councillor Schofield said the town council would carry out further consultation to gather as many local opinions on the plans as possible before making its comments to Shropshire Council.

"The town council has been adamant it will not look favourably on any development that seriously impacts on the archaeological or historical significance of the hillfort," he said. "We recognise the significant public interest in this matter and therefore have spoken to Shropshire Council to look at how greater public involvement can be brought into this matter to help the town council shape its response."

Councillors will arrange a visit to the fort with representatives from Shropshire Council, Oswestry Civic Society and English Heritage followed by a public session to answer more questions and collect comments.

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