THE campaign group fighting plans to build homes close to Old Oswestry hillfort will present an expert to councillors charged with deciding its fate.

Cameron Homes’ application to build 83 homes off Whittington Road will be decided by Shropshire Council’s North Planning Committee at a meeting on Friday (July 28) at Shirehall in Shrewsbury.

Although Shropshire planners are recommending approval, campaign group Hands off Old Oswestry Hillfort (HOOOH) say that strong grounds exist to refuse the hugely unpopular application.

A spokesman said: “All eyes will be on the North Planning Committee this Friday.

“Their decision will seal the fate of one of Shropshire’s and Britain’s greatest archaeological landmarks.

“We trust they will balance all the evidence in their decision, including the irreversible damage that will be inflicted on a unique heritage site and the substantial local and national opposition to development.”

OTHER NEWS:

In its written representation ahead of the meeting, HOOOH has stated to Shropshire Council that the planners’ assessment does not give appropriate weight to the hillfort’s significance as a designated heritage asset, especially when ‘the more important the asset, the greater the weight should be’.

HOOOH campaigners added that planners have not provided ‘clear and convincing justification’ for what would be significant harm to the setting of a designated heritage asset of national significance.

Campaigners insist that planners have not adequately demonstrated that the loss or harm is necessary when the 83 houses can be built elsewhere, given that more than sufficient housing land has been identified for Oswestry’s future growth, including east of the A5 bypass.

They add that planning consent could set a precedent for further damaging development across the hillfort’s eastern setting.

The HOOOH campaign will be attending the meeting with support from the heritage sector in the form of an expert witness.

Other objectors to the plans include Oswestry Town Council, North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan, Oswestry & Border Archaeology & History Group, Cambrian Heritage Railways Ltd, and Oswestry and District Civic Society.

HOOOH also stated that ‘refusal is warranted if the proposals do not meet the special conditions enshrined in SAMDev policy S14 as agreed in the Statement of Common Ground with Historic England’.

Make sure you don't miss out on any of our news, sports and features. You'll see fewer adverts and enjoy great high street offers too. Just click here for your Oswestry Advertizer digital subscription.

They said: “These are meant to ensure the harm to heritage is minimised and the public benefits weighing against this harm are delivered.

“They also underpinned the Inspector’s decision to allocate the site for development.

“But a number of conditions are simply not being met. These are the northern limit for development, the provision of walking and cycling access along and across the Cambrian Railway, and improvements to the junction of Whittington Road and Gobowen Road.

“Given the overwhelming opposition to the plans, Shropshire Council must respect and adhere to policy and underpinning agreements for controversial development, or we seriously undermine public trust in the local planning process.”

Proceedings start at 2pm and can be viewed remotely via the live streaming at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqCY87aT_cI