Business plan turned down because of concerns about historic Shrewsbury battlefield
Plans for a new business site have been rejected over concerns about the impact on a historic battlefield.
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Little Cloud had asked Shropshire Council for permission to build a fresh commercial development at the site of Shrewsbury Self Store, off the A49 to the north of Shrewsbury.
The proposal was for a site containing eight business units.
But Shropshire Council has refused the proposal - citing the potential impact on the nearby location of the Battle of Shrewsbury, as well as worries about harm to bats in the area.
A decision issued by the council says the development would be 'incongruous' with the rural character of the battlefield setting.
It states: " The proposed development lies within the setting of the Registered Battlefield for the Battle of Shrewsbury and within the countryside.
"It is acknowledged that the original agricultural and rural setting of the Registered Battlefield has changed over the years, and particularly in modern times through the expansion of Shrewsbury towards its southern edge.
"Nevertheless the battlefield's broader rural context can still be experienced and appreciated in the part of its setting in the area of the proposed development.
"This context contributes positively to the significance of the Registered Battlefield.
"The scale, massing and form of the proposed development would be incongruous with the otherwise wider rural character of this part of the battlefield's setting."
It adds that the economic benefits of the plan would not outweigh the harm to a historic location of "the highest significance".
It states: "As a result, the proposed development would cause less than substantial harm to the significance of the Registered Battlefield as a consequence of the effects that it would have upon its setting.
"It is acknowledged that the proposal would provide economic and social benefits, which include public benefits of moderate weight.
"Nevertheless it is not considered that the public benefits would be sufficient to outweigh the harm that would be caused to the Registered Battlefield, which is categorised as an asset of the highest significance."
The Battle of Shrewsbury was fought between King Henry IV and a rebellious faction led by Sir Henry 'Hotspur' Percy in 1403, and it was the first time the English longbow was used on both sides of the battlefield.
While Percy died during the battle, King Henry came close to defeat and almost lost his life, and his throne.
Around 24,000 people fought at the battle with between 5,000 and 6,000 believed to have died.
