400 turn out to protect ancient Oswestry monument from housing

The unusual Valentine's Day display of affection was organised by campaigners looking to prevent housing development near to Oswestry's old hillfort – an ancient scheduled monument.

John Waine, a member of the group "Hands off Old Oswestry Hillfort" (HOOOH), which was behind the event, said they were thrilled to see so many people showing their support for the campaign.

He said: "We had between 400 and 500 people. We did not know how many we would get so we were thrilled to bits with the turnout. People were so supportive."

Mr Waine said he believed the turnout showed the strength of feeling over the campaign. He said: "I think it matters a great deal to the people of Oswestry. They really care what happens to old Oswestry and as we have gone on people have realised this is the soul of the town, the ancient heart, and that is what comes through – how much it means to people."

As part of the event the campaigners formed a large heart shape at the entrance and then filmed proceedings from above with the use of a drone.

The hillfort dates back 3,000 years with evidence found on the site going as far back as 6,000 years. Mr Waine said it would be unacceptable to allow the construction of houses in the vicinity of the fort, particularly given its status as an ancient scheduled monument, which it shares with one of Britain's most sacred historical sites, Stonehenge.

He said: "Our argument has always been, as with Stonehenge, this is a scheduled monument and should be treated as such. You would not allow the construction of houses within metres of Stonehenge so they should not be built close to the fort. We need to protect and enhance it for generations."

Dr George Nash, an archaeologist and adviser to HOOOH said: "What happens at Old Oswestry is being seen as a test case that could open the floodgates to indiscriminate development exploiting heritage sites and areas of natural beauty across Britain."

"We have the short-sightedness of English Heritage and Shropshire Council to thank for putting this important Iron Age monument and potentially other parts of Britain's ancient landscape in this state of planning jeopardy."