Glimmer of hope in fight to protect Oswestry's iron age hill fort
Campaigners fighting to keep housing away from the iron age hill fort in Oswestry say they have seen a glimmer of light in the planning process.
Campaigners were joined by national archaeologists Dr George Nash and Dr Rachel Pope at the Guildhall in Oswestry on Monday when Oswestry Town Council decided on its response to the proposals.
Under Shropshire Council's SAMdev plans – which plot the future development of Shropshire – three sites close to the hillfort could be put forward for housing.
But on Monday, Oswestry Town Council voted to object to the inclusion of a piece of land adjacent to Jasmine Gardens in the development plan.
And plans to develop Oldport Farm and land off Whittington Road will only get the town council's support if there is a full historical assessment.
Today Hoooh, the Hands off Old Oswestry group, said it was seeing signs that the town council is starting to listen.
Neil Phillips, from the group, said: "What's really encouraging is that Oswestry Town Council is forming a view of the Oldport proposals outside of English Heritage, and taking the initiative to query the evidence base – something English Heritage should have done itself."
The protest group says it will keep fighting to stop the development throughout the planning process.
