The battle for Burlish Meadows

Available for over a year

The fight over the future of land in Stourport has taken a new twist, with the area awarded an 'Asset of Community Value' status. Wyre Forest District Council had agreed in principle to sell just over 20% of Burlish Meadows to Kidderminster Harriers. The football club wants to build training pitches, including floodlights and artificial pitches. But campaigners say it would damage rare wildlife that's been flourishing in the nearby nature reserve. The move from Stourport Civic Society means that campaign groups have six weeks to bid for the eight-and-a-half hectare area themselves and essentially block the sale. Alistair Binney reports. A statement from Wyre Forest District Council confirmed Burlish Country Park has been listed as an Asset of Community Value. They added this does not determine whether land can be developed and does not prevent the Council from considering the future disposal of land. The council added that no final decision has been made regarding the sale of the land and that a disposal notice was published as part of the statutory process, and all comments received in response, including those from Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, will be carefully considered before any final decision is made on the future disposal of the land. They said 'we value our relationship with Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and look forward to continuing to work positively with them in the future'.