Joy as land gets 'green' status

Planning bosses have finally agreed a controversial five-acre site of former railway land in Oswestry should be registered as a community town green.

Today's decision by Shropshire County Council's planning committee marks the end of a four-year campaign to retain the site as a public open space.

June McCarthy, who has spearheaded the fight, said she was "happy and relieved" at the decision.

Seven councillors voted in favour of their officers' recommendation – based on the recommendation of an independent planning inspector.

Mrs McCarthy said she was sure the site would become a "great boon" to the town. She said she hoped trees would be planted and that schools would make use of the land.

Mrs McCarthy said she believed a town green would also complement plans by the Cambrian Railway Trust to develop a heritage railway, although the trust fears the move will undermine its proposals.

A letter from trustee Henry Thomas to the committee said: "The village green, if registered, will seriously compromise the reinstatement of Oswestry station to its full potential, but in due course as the project develops we will consider the options open to us, in conjunction with other stakeholders."

The five-acre site had been earmarked for a range of health facilities, before the application to formally make it a town green was submitted. Two public inquiries have been held on the use of the land with a Government inspector backing the town green scheme.

Councillor Brian Williams said there was no option, but to accept the inspector's advice.