Plans for mini domed observatory in village

A mini observatory could be relocated to give stargazers a new place to view the night sky in Shropshire, under plans from the parish council.

Rodington Parish Council has applied for permission to install a domed observatory and telescope on land behind the village hall, between Shrewsbury and Telford.

The hall is used by Shropshire Astronomical Society for its observing meetings, with the parish council planning to relocate an observatory from Tern Hill where it was used by service personnel and their families.

"The observatory will provide a secure, weatherproof enclosure for an astronomical telescope, enabling observation of the night sky throughout the year", the authority said.

The proposed observatory, which will be placed away from local homes, has a free-standing circular fibreglass dome measuring approximately 2.7m in both diameter and height.

The telescope in the observatory required refurbishment but operated silently, the council added, with a maximum capacity of five or six people at one time.

"The facility will support educational and community activities, allowing local residents, schools, families, service personnel, veterans and visitors to experience astronomical observation at organised events," it said.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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