Two protests over plans for homes near Shropshire hillfort
Protesters will gather to oppose controversial plans to build homes and holiday chalets next to a hillfort and beauty spot in the south Shropshire countryside.
The plans for New House Farm, close to Caer Caradoc hillfort, near Church Stretton, would see 65 homes and 16 holiday chalets built on the outskirts of the town.
The application by Morris Property will be heard by members of Shropshire Council's south planning committee next Tuesday afternoon.
Before the meeting, councillors will visit the site on Cwms Lane ahead of making their decision.
Residents and campaigners will host two protests, one at New House Farm during the committee visit and the other outside Shrewsbury's Shirehall as the meeting takes place.
John Woolmer, spokesman for the protesters and member of South Shropshire Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), said that the town council had no objections to the planned protest.
He revealed that members of the Civic Society, CPRE, The All Stretton Village Society, Pride of Place and others had shown interest in protesting quietly on Tuesday morning on the footpaths by Eastwood on Cwms Lane.
Mr Woolmer, of Leebotwood, added: "We only heard about the planning application meeting a few days ago and have been racing around to get the protest organised.
"In addition to the residents going to Cwms Lane, others have said they will be attending the hearing itself at Shirehall.
"It shows they still have strong feelings about our treasured landscape and may help convince the councillors of our strong feelings against this major, greedy and inappropriate application.
"I urge anyone concerned about the impact of this potential development to attend one of the protests, either at the proposed site itself or at the main entrance to Shirehall," said Mr Woolmer.
"Residents unable to attend the protest can still voice their concerns via email to councillor David Evans, saying they object to the planning application."
The committee tour of the site will start by the A49, proceed to New House Farm, Holloway by Eastwood and Oaks Lane, before returning to New House Farm.
Mr Woolmer said that the chief planning officer Grahame French deciding to recommend refusal of the application gave the protestors some confidence.
He said: "But this feels like it could be the start of a long struggle and our worry is that while we may win this battle, the war will be far from over."
The planning application will be heard on Tuesday in Shirehall at 2pm and the public are invited to attend.
