NORTH SHROPSHIRE MP Helen Morgan has written to Shropshire Council's planners to object to new plans to develop homes near to the foot of Old Oswestry Hillfort.
The latest plans, which have been resubmitted by Cameron Homes, to build 83 homes on land between the B5069 and Whittington Road, have met with a strong opposition from local groups.
The campaign group Hands Off Old Oswestry Hillfort (HOOOH) has been leading the 10 years of public opposition of this project, and its objections have been backed by Oswestry Civic Society and MP Helen Morgan.
In a letter, the MP cited the opposition of local residents in Oswestry, the need to protect the historic monument, and a 12,000-signature petition on the topic.
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The letter reads: "There is significant opposition to the proposal from key stakeholders.
"Oswestry Town Council is opposed to the development.
"Its Councillors are the elected representatives of the people of Oswestry, and they have a support from members of the public, both locally and nationally, to protect a beautiful historic monument of national significance."
Mrs Morgan explained that this was demonstrated by over 12,000 petition signatures, since the developement was first proposed in 2012.
She continued: "It’s clear that there is a greater public benefit from conserving this important cultural asset, while land for additional housing has already been identified elsewhere in the vicinity of the town.
"There is a risk of damage to tourism in Shropshire as a result of the development of this site.
"It is an important part of the offer to visitors to Oswestry and the surrounding areas; Its recreational amenity, environmental beauty, and sense of escape enhanced by 360 degrees views and rural context would be degraded by the addition of a significant modern housing development."
The MP also attached the technical considerations as an Appendix to the letter.
Some included how the application would adversely affect a valued and historically charged landscape, how the alterantion of the landscape will create more damage to the land, the restricted access to the Cambrian Railway line, and by incorporating 200 car spaces, the development will add to existing congestion in the area; along many more.
She concluded the letter with: "I hope you will consider that an asset of national heritage and archaeological importance will be irretrievably damaged by further urban encroachment into its setting."
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