The construction of a new rollercoaster at Alton Towers theme park in Staffordshire could be hampered after it was claimed that the proposed site for the ride forms part of an ancient hill fort.

A local resident raised concerns that the theme park's plans would involve building on the Bunbury Hill Fort site, and Staffordshire County Council has said that it will be sending an archaeologist to investigate. However, Alton Towers has said the details of the proposed location for the new rollercoaster have been included in its planning application to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, and that it is not going to build, nor has it any plans to build, where the local resident believes the ride will be situated.

The theme park's head of development, Mark Kerrigan, said: "The district planning officers have visited the proposed site and their report will cover all aspects of heritage, environment and geography. "As with any application that goes to planning, the location of the ride and how it fits in with the site environs has been fully researched with the district council. They involve a number of consultees prior to reaching their conclusions and these include the county archaeologist."

SMDC will hear the planning application as planned on 12 February.