HARRIERS’ plans for a new “ground-breaking” stadium development were put forward as part of Wyre Forest District Council’s draft Local Plan, council bosses have confirmed.

Kidderminster Harriers could seek permission to build a new stadium, with training and educational facilities in Zortech Avenue – potentially freeing up the council-owned Aggborough site for residential development.

The club submitted the tentative proposals as part of Wyre Forest District Council’s eight-week review of its Local Plan, which will guide future development of the district between 2016 and 2034.

During this period, approximately 6,000 new homes will need to be built to meet the demands of a growing population. The council has put forward various options – as well as asking the public to suggest other sites – for where that development should take place.

The club submitted proposals, as part of the review of the Local Plan preferred options document, to develop land near the Centre of Sporting Excellence – where its first and academy teams currently train – on the Stourport Road corridor, that would free up land for new homes at Aggborough.

The district council owns the freehold of the land at Aggborough and there are 28 years left to run on the lease with the football club.

Councillor Marcus Hart, district council leader, said: “We can confirm that we have received a submission from Kidderminster Harriers, which we will be considering along with all other suggestions and responses made during the public consultation.

“The proposed site of the new stadium is currently designated as greenbelt and these policy implications will need to be worked through in the normal way.

“These proposals could potentially release much-needed land for new homes, although a full assessment of the club’s submission must be completed before proposals can be taken further and will need to be carefully considered in the same way as all other proposals regarding parcels of land submitted as part of the Local Plan consultation.”

Cllr Hart added: “We cannot pre-determine any decisions regarding the preferred options consultation at this stage.

“Any eventual development would be subject to the normal planning process and in no way would we wish to pre-determine any future planning application.”

Once all feedback for the council’s initial consultation has been considered, the council will progress to the next ‘pre-submission’ stage at which point there will be another public consultation before the plan is submitted to the Secretary of State, for final approval, in 2019/2020.

The Secretary of State will then appoint a Planning Inspector to undertake an Examination in Public of the Local Plan and will decide if the plan can become adopted or not.

For more information about the Local Plan, visit wyreforestdc.gov.uk/localplanreview.

To read our original story, following the announcement of the plans, click HERE.