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Iron age hill fort threatened by plans to build 200 luxury homesUpdate: Protesters in Shropshire say housing for 'affluent commuters and rich retirees' will ruin a site of national importance and set back archaeological research. Old Oswestry is one of Europe's best preserved iron age hill forts, a site that has existed for more than 3,000 years and can be seen for miles around. The war poet Wilfred Owen completed his army training on the grassy mounds of Old Oswestry, which is also said to be the birthplace of King Arthur's wife, Guinevere. It is likely that the Shropshire lad himself, AE Housman, would have spent time admiring the views from the fort's majestic summit on the Shropshire-Wales border. Now, in what critics say is a result of the government's new planning policy, proposals have been drawn up to build almost 200 luxury homes next to the ancient site, angering local residents and heritage groups. Some 6,000 people have signed a petition opposing the development, part of the county council's plan to build 2,600 homes by 2026 to comply with government targets. One of 25 hill forts in Shropshire, Old Oswestry has a series of perimeter ditches, formed between ramparts, that were designed to slow down attackers. An archaeological survey in 2010 found man-made structures in fields to the north-east of the fort. Two years ago the discovery of an iron age road, thought to connect The Wrekin, near Telford, with fields near the site, indicated that there was likely to be important evidence of past cultures buried under the soil. "If houses go up, access to important archaeology and further understanding of iron age culture will be lost indefinitely under bricks and concrete," said Neil Phillips of Hands Off Old Oswestry Hillfort (Hoooh). "The sprawling infrastructure of the housing masterplan, with houses, roads, gardens, link paths and car parking, will severely erode a large part of the green farmstead setting which is an integral part of Old Oswestry's appeal." English Heritage, which describes Old Oswestry as "a site of great national importance, one that helps to define our national story and identity", has joined Oswestry town council in opposing the scheme, which locals say will do little to ease housing problems. They claim that the 188 homes planned for up to three sites around the fort will be expensive, low-risk developments "for affluent commuters, rich retirees, country retreat investors and holiday cottage landlords". The development will be studied closely by the likes of the National Trust, which has warned that the government's new "pro-development" planning framework will result in a glut of upmarket homes being built on greenfield sites because these offer the best returns for construction firms. Campaigners have questioned the basis for the council's new homes target. "Shropshire council has acknowledged that the 2,600 figure is both arbitrary and inexact," said John Waine from Hoooh. "This is the sand on which they seem willing to allocate new homes, setting a precedent for future build around this and other Shropshire heritage sites." Local people have pressed their MP, environment secretary Owen Paterson, to raise their concerns. A spokeswoman for Paterson said: "He never becomes involved in planning decisions, which are entirely the responsibility of Shropshire council. However, he always passes on the concerns of any constituents who contact him to the leader of Shropshire council." A council spokesman said it was awaiting a response from local groups before commenting further: "We understand that the town council is to meet with representatives of English Heritage in early December and we expect a formal view from them shortly afterwards http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/nov/24/old-oswestry-hill-fort-housing-threat |
Posted by moss24th November 2013ce Edited 26th November 2013ce
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Comments (4) |
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Is this a 'new' news story? Or a late discovery by the Guardian of the item that featured on TMA a couple of months back? Also, AE Housman was from Worcestershire :) |
Posted by thesweetcheat24th November 2013ce |
| No it is an update on an old story, news moving forward so to speak, note EH will be meeting councillors early December. As for Housman a bit of 'poetic license' always embroiders a story nicely... |
Posted by moss 24th November 2013ce |
| Thanks Moss, let's hope there's a positive outcome. This has the potential to act as a brilliant "You shall not pass" precedent or a disastrous floodgate opener. |
Posted by thesweetcheat 24th November 2013ce |
| It would be nice to think that a positive outcome would occur, but knowing how Shropshire Council operate I fear that financial considerations, along with the government's tacit approval, via the loosening of planning regulations, will override any objections from local groups or EH. Best get a visit in whilst it's still unspoilt! |
Posted by Ravenfeather25th November 2013ce |
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