Cabinet reaches decision on proposed Burlish Meadows sale

The cabinet at Wyre Forest District Council met last night (Wednesday, October 21) to discuss the proposed disposal of approximately 8.5 hectares of Burlish Country Park following a proposal from Kidderminster Harriers Football Club.

Councillors at the meeting voted unanimously in favour of retaining Burlish Country Park in Wyre Forest District Council's ownership.

This decision supported the recommendation that Wyre Forest District Council should not proceed with the proposed disposal of the land that was considered at the Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, October 15.

At this meeting, members also voted unanimously to support the recommendation not to sell the site.

At the meeting, the cabinet heard from public speakers including Steven Bloomfield, head of conservation at Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, Phillip Trow, secretary of Stourport Civic Society, and Friends of Burlish Meadows, who all urged the council to approve the recommendation not to sell the site.

Mr Trow said: "It is important to state that we do support Kidderminster Harriers Football Club, and personally I have no problem with their existing training pitches or their redevelopment.

"However, the destruction of a natural area for yet more pitches cannot be supported.

"We note the officer's recommendations in the report to cabinet and strongly urge you to approve it."

Amongst the councillors who spoke at the meeting and voted in favour of retaining Burlish Country Park in Wyre Forest District Council's ownership was cabinet member for economic regeneration, planning, and the green agenda, Cllr Dan Morehead (Conservative, Bewdley and Rock).

He said: "There have been many comments suggesting this is not a case of football versus nature, and I fully agree that both organised sport and access to nature are important to our community.

"I also want to make another point very clearly that this has never been a case of the council versus the public.

"I firmly believe that our responsibility as a council is to consider all proposals fairly, objectively, and in the interest of our residents.

"Our responsibility is to consider the wider interests of the district and make a balanced decision based on the evidence before us.

"I believe it was absolutely right that we consider the proposal put forward by Kidderminster Harriers.

"The club submitted an offer that was compliant with the council's policies, and it was right that we gave that proposal proper consideration.

"Equally, having agreed the principle of exploring the disposal, it was always the case that the necessary statutory process and consultation with the public would take place.

"We have a responsibility to listen to our residents, understand their concerns, and consider the evidence before us before a decision on the future of a public asset.

"I believe that is what we have done."

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.

A petition set up by Friends of Burlish Meadows to block the proposed disposal also received nearly 4,500 signatures.