Housing plans for Oswestry could see improved access, parking and new interpretation point for the Hillfort

Shropshire Council has worked closely with English Heritage and the promoter of housing sites near Old Oswestry to assess the potential impacts of further housing development on the hill fort. These discussions have resulted in a significant reduction in the scale of development near the hill fort, relative to that illustrated in the previous SAMDev consultation last year.

The site promoter has recently provided an updated ‘Heritage
Impact Assessment’ which illustrates their revised proposals and assesses the impact of these on the setting of the hill fort. The proposed housing development would also provide a new access to the hill fort from the Gobowen Road, together with car parking and an interpretation point, consistent with the objectives of the new ‘Oswestry 2020 Town Plan’ which seeks to make more of Old Oswestry as a tourism asset. The full report, including illustrative photos can be viewed by clicking here.

Mal Price, Shropshire Council Cabinet member with responsibility for Planning said:

“Having taken into account the objections to the original plan in this area of Oswestry, we have scaled-down the proposed building work in this area. The latest proposal seeks to strike a balance between preserving and improving this historic landmark, and meeting the local need for development.

The planned development could provide a vast improvement to access and parking at the Hillfort, which can only be good news for the site and the wider visitor economy of Oswestry.”

The latest draft version of the SAMDev Plan was published for public consultation on 1 July for a period of 8 weeks, closing on Friday 23 August. The consultation documents are available at www.shropshire.gov.uk/samdev.

Shropshire Council is currently awaiting a firm response from English Heritage, whose response will take into account the great significance of the hill fort and the need to
preserve its setting.  English Heritage’s views will help to inform the content of the next version of the SAMDev Plan which will be published for consultation towards the end of 2013.

Unresolved objections to any of the SAMDev proposals will be considered by an independent planning inspector during 2014, who may recommend changes before the plan is adopted in 2015.