Controversial plans to build houses close to Oswestry’s historic hillfort have received objections from town councillors.

Members of the Development and Planning Committee said they would continue to object to plans by Galliers Homes Ltd to build over 100 houses in two phases on land between Whittington Road and the B5069 Gobowen Road.

It comes after they objected to the proposal to build on the site when it was included of Shropshire Council’s Site Allocations and Management of Developments (SAMDev) Plan which was later passed by the Secretary of State.

Councillor Sandy Best said: “In 2014 this council voted again any development on this site and this was reinforced in 2017.

“Other planning applications have gone in but I think nothing has happened with those sites yet.”

She continued: “I do not see why the objections that were passed by the majority of the council on both occasions should actually change. Those being that this site is close to an outstanding historic monument, something that people are trying very hard to incorporate into the tourism of Oswestry.”

Cllr Duncan Kerr agreed, adding: “I still think it is out of sync to have a settlement next to a nationally important heritage site and we know that it is not just the hillfort but the area around it that has importance.”

But Cllr Peter Cherrington said: “In my opinion it is not in close proximity to the hillfort and the hillfort is not even in our patch, it belongs to Selattyn and Gobowen Parish Council.”

Cllr Chris Schofield added: “We have to remember we are only making observations, this council has no power when it comes to planning. We can reject is 100 times, it does not mean anything.

“Developing on this site has already gone through all the hoops.”

Members voted to object on the grounds of the proximity of the homes to the hillfort, the lack of trees on the site, and the number of affordable houses which they felt would not meet the needs of Oswestry people.

Earlier in the meeting, Helen Howie for planning agents Berrys, asked the council to support the plans.

She explained that the development would include the planting of new trees, new pedestrian and cycle routes to enable residents in the east of Oswestry to access the former railway line adjacent to Gobowen Road, and she said the route would draw people to a “tree-lined avenue” to access the best view point of the hillfort.

She added: “There will be an observation point with seating and interpretation boards to enable a better appreciation of the hill fort.”