Calls for Burlish Meadows to be give new protection

Friends of Burlish Meadows have called for Burlish Country Park to be designated as a LNR after the council's cabinet decided unanimously against selling approximately 8.5 hectares of the area following a proposal from Kidderminster Harriers Football Club.

According to the government, LNRs declared by local authorities are designated as protected areas of land due to their 'special natural interest, educational, and community value'.

Jason Kernohan, Chairman of Friends of Burlish Meadows, had led calls for the country park to receive the 'protection it deserves' that would ensure it supports an 'abundance of wildlife' and remains 'accessible for generations of the local community'.

"Friends of Burlish Meadows now call upon Wyre Forest District Council to redesignate Burlish Country Park as a Local Nature Reserve to give it the protection it deserves so that it can continue to support an abundance of wildlife and be accessible for generations of the local community to enjoy and use in the future."

In response to Friends of Burlish Meadows' call for Burlish Country Park to be designated as a 'Local Nature Reserve', Wyre Forest District Council leader, Cllr Marcus Hart, said any representations submitted to the council will be 'considered as part of the normal process'.

He said: "This week, Cabinet made the decision not to dispose of any land at Burlish Country Park.

"The site's status as a country park is clearly recognised in the Wyre Forest Local Plan, which was adopted in 2022.

"Should any proposals for the site come forward in the future, they would need to be considered through the proper decision-making process and judged on their own merits at that time.

"We've also noted the comments from the Friends of Burlish Meadows regarding Local Nature Reserve status.

"Any representations submitted to the Council through the appropriate channels will be considered as part of the normal process."