Battle for historic Oswestry battlefield
It is thought to be the site of a bloody battle that gave a market town its name.
And now a new battle has erupted over the fields of Maes y Llan on the edge of Oswestry after plans for a car park were revealed.
The land is owned by Oswestry School and has been used for decades as the school's playing fields.
It has now applied for planning permission to build a car park on part of the fields leading to objections from neighbours.
Nearby residents say the Maes y Llan site, thought to be where the battle between King Oswald and King Penda took place, should be left as a green site.
Those living in Lutton Close, which overlooks the playing field, say the will suffer noise, light and pollution issues.
However, Oswestry School says that if the application is not granted it may have to stop some of the community use of the fields.
The battle of Maserfield is thought to have taken place in the vicinity of Maes y Llan in AD641 or 642.
During the fighting King Oswald of Northumbria was killed by King Penda of Mercia. It led to the naming of Oswestry after the defeated Christian King.
Legend has it that Penda - as a warning to others who might challenge his rule - dismembered Oswald's body and hung his limbs on the branches of a tree - hence the name 'Oswald's Tree'.
Andrew and Jackie Field, whose home looks over the land, have objected.
"The proposed car park, which will be used between 7.30am and 10pm seven days a week will cause noise, light and pollution issues, as well as encroaching on yet another green site on the outskirts of Oswestry," Mr Field said.
"With proposed car parking for at least 42 cars, this is not a small car park. Many sports are played on the field by community groups and the school itself.
"The plan also includes a new road access, giving concern that there will be further congestion on an already busy road.
"Can the school not meet this need somewhere else within the school site instead of building yet again on the historic Maes y Llan?"
In the application for planning permission consultants representing Oswestry School say that even after the original car park was constructed on the playing fields the school had been aware that there is still need for additional parking facilities for vehicles. The proposed new car park would be constructed of a mesh which allows grass to grow through it.
A supporting document to Shropshire Council says: "At present cars still park on the public roads when attending various sporting activities which take place on the playing fields.
"Should the additional car parking be rejected many community events may have to cease due to safety concerns and will not assist with highway safety outside the school gates.
The report says that in addition to school sports and events, the playing fields are still used for many sporting activities with the car park used by competitors and spectators.
"There are county cross country events a couple of times per year and well as local schools cross country event. Weekend football matches are staged by three local pub/village teams and Oswestry third and fourth cricket teams play there during the summer," it says.
The fields are also used by the BT cricket team every Tuesday evening and the Old Oswestrian cricket team every Thursday evening.
Oswestry Hockey club trains every Wednesday evening on the artificial pitch and has matches on weekends and the fields are also used for holiday sports activities.
Consultants have also questioned whether Maes y Llan is the site where King Oswald was killed.
