Oswestry hillfort homes decision anger as Government inspector refuses to rule out plans

The long-running saga has now been resolved after Shropshire's long-term housing strategy was signed off by the Planning Inspectorate.

The Shropshire Council Site Allocations and Management of Development (SamDev) plan sets out which pieces of land in the county can be developed, and for what, up until 2026. No locations have been added or removed from the plans by the Government, meaning a controversial site at Whittington Road, opposite Old Oswestry Hillfort, remains included.

Kate Clarke, spokeswoman for campaign group Hands Off Old Oswestry Hillfort, warned that construction of housing on the site would leave an "appalling legacy".

She said: "If this housing goes ahead, Historic England, in league with Shropshire Council, have let down Shropshire's heritage and its public very badly. Not only this, they could unleash a damning planning precedent wreaking untold damage on the nation's heritage.

"The prospect of this appalling legacy lying at the door of our appointed heritage guardians is unimaginably dire and a scandalous dereliction of duty."

In her SamDev report, planning inspector Claire Sherratt said the lack of an objection from Historic England was a "consideration that I afford considerable weight".

SamDev also provides the framework for the construction of around 9,500 homes in the county over the next 11 years.

Andy Mortimer, planning policy manager at Shropshire Council, said the plan would provide people with important clarity about where development will take place throughout the county.

He said: "The inspectorate has supported the council's approach to the planning of new development in Shropshire."

South Shropshire Tory MP Philip Dunne has welcomed the announcement and challenged developers to start the job of building the new homes needed in Shropshire.

The plan will go before councillors for final approval next month.