PLANS for part of Burlish Country Park to be sold off to Kidderminster Harriers will be discussed this evening (Thursday).
The club is in talks with Wyre Forest District Council to buy a section of the area commonly known as Burlish Meadows so it can expand its training facilities and create a modern, welcoming hub.
Wyre Forest Council is considering selling 8.5hectares of the country park, which used to be part of the former golf club.
The country park is around 40hectares overall so a fifth of the land would be used for the project.
The council said the area, off Zortech Avenue, has been an open space since 2018 and did not include any part of the Burlish Top Nature Reserve.
The council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee will discuss the proposal and any recommendations will then be discussed by the council’s cabinet at 6pm next Thursday, July 9.
Opposition
But the proposal has been met with opposition.
A new community organisation has been formed in Stourport to fight the plans to sell off part of Burlish Meadows to Kidderminster Harriers.
The Friends of Burlish Meadows are against the sale of the green belt land between Kidderminster and Stourport.
The group says the area is a flower rich area of grassland which has developed into a very important refuge for wildlife including rare insects, birds and plants.
And they argue taxpayers’ money has been spent developing the site – a new car park has been provided and local schoolchildren have been involved in planting trees.
The group added the site was well used by the local community which was able to enjoy the wildlife found there and access the site to the benefit of their health and wellbeing.
The emperor moth is one of the many species The Friends of Burlish Meadows says frequents the threatened parkland. Picture by Jason Kernohan. s
They said the area would be replaced by artificial football pitches which the public would have no access to.
The newly formed Friends of Burlish Meadows comprises local users of the site and wildlife experts who have identified a range of important animals, insects and plants that are found there.
The group says, among them are breeding Skylark, Emperor Moth, White-letter Hairstreak butterflies, three species of orchid and the nationally rare Tower Mustard plant, with only around 30 known sites nationally.
The area, the group argue, is an important sanctuary for a range of wildlife not found elsewhere in the district and they have called on local councillors to vote against the proposal so it can be kept as a public open space.
Jason Kernohan, Friends of Burlish Meadows spokesperson, said: “To lose this site would have a major impact on the biodiversity of the district.
“The kind of habitats present and the wildlife they support are unique and irreplaceable – it would be an act of sheer vandalism on the part of the council to allow this site to be destroyed.
“There are many places where artificial football pitches can be provided and it should not be at the expense of such an important wildlife hotspot which is enjoyed by many and part of a country park.”
The proposal
The Harriers’ proposal, which would need planning permission, consists of four full-size football pitches, three artificial grass pitches and two smaller pitches for junior football.
As part of the statutory planning process, there will be a public consultation on any application submitted by the club.
This will enable residents and stakeholders to submit their views which must be taken into account as part of the decision-making process.
Coun David Ross, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Minister for Finance and the Capital Portfolio, said: “We want the football club to succeed and grow talent for the future.
“It would bring investment into the area, along with new and enhanced facilities.
“Having a successful club in the district brings many benefits not just for football, but for healthy living.
“While the country park is well used by locals, significant areas would remain available for public use and enjoyment.
“The Cabinet therefore feels it is appropriate to explore the proposals put forward by the Harriers and to consider the sale of part of the site.”
Visit: wyreforestdc.gov.uk/streaming to watch the meetings.
Visit the ‘Friends off Burlish Meadows’ Facebook group for more on the group and its campaign.
