Cabinet report recommends keeping Burlish Meadows public

Wyre Forest District Council is considering the disposal of part of Burlish Country Park following a proposal from Kidderminster Harriers Football Club.  

The Cabinet report, which is recommending that the site is not sold, will be considered at the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday (October 15).

Earlier this year, Kidderminster Harriers Football Club approached the Council with a proposal to purchase approximately 8.5 hectares of land next to its training ground.

In July, Cabinet agreed to consider the proposal and undertake the statutory process required for the potential disposal of public open space land.

This included giving the public the opportunity to comment on or object to the proposed disposal.

The decision was only to consider the proposal in principle and complete the required statutory process.

No decision was made at that stage to sell the land. 

During the statutory notice period, the council received 656 responses: 650 objections, three in support of the proposal and three enquiries.

These responses highlighted the importance of Burlish Country Park as a valued community asset, providing opportunities for recreation, leisure, wellbeing and access to nature.

The report recognises the potential benefits of investment in local football facilities and the council is keen to see the club’s vision become a reality, but the report concludes that these are outweighed by the benefits of retaining the land for nature, public access and community wellbeing.

Councillor Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, said: "We recognise that people hold strongly differing views on this issue and that any decision will disappoint some residents. Given the significance of the proposal, it is important that it is considered carefully, openly and transparently.

"This was not a referendum, but the objections, representations and issues raised through the statutory process have been taken seriously. The reports weigh the potential benefits for local football against the value of the land for nature, public access and community wellbeing.

"Overview and Scrutiny will now examine the evidence and the recommendation in detail before Cabinet makes the final decision."

Councillor David Ross, Deputy Leader and cabinet member for finance and the capital portfolio, said: "It was right that we considered the proposal and gathered all the relevant information before reaching a view. Our decision in July enabled the statutory process to take place and gave people the opportunity to make their views known. It was not a decision to sell the land.

"People hold strong views on both sides. After considering the arguments, responses and evidence, the report recommends keeping the land as part of Burlish Country Park and not selling it."

The Friends of Burlish Meadows group have been campaigning to save the land from being sold and described the rare habitat as a "beloved" area of conservation.

Supporters gathered outside Wyre Forest District Council's headquarters in Kidderminster in September for a demonstration calling on the council to safeguard Burlish Meadows.

The cabinet will make a final decision on the sale at its meeting on Wednesday (October 21).

The report can be read in full on the council’s website at https://forms.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/council/meetings/com193.htm#mt9090 

Both meetings can be watched live from 6pm on the day on the council’s streaming webpage at www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/streaming