Burlish Country Park to remain a public open space
News release issued:
Burlish Country Park will remain a public open space after Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet voted at its meeting on Wednesday 21 October to keep the land in council ownership.
The decision means a proposal from Kidderminster Harriers Football Club to buy around 8.5 hectares of land next to its training ground will not proceed.
Cabinet considered the proposal alongside the responses received through the statutory process. Of the 656 responses, 650 were objections, three supported the proposal and three were enquiries.
Councillor Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, said:
“We have listened to the strong views expressed and carefully weighed the potential benefits for local football against the value of this land to the wider community.
“Cabinet agreed that Burlish Country Park should remain a public open space for people to enjoy now and in the future.”
Councillor David Ross, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and the Capital Portfolio, said:
“The statutory process gave everyone the opportunity to have their say and ensured Cabinet had the information needed to make a balanced decision.
“We will continue to work constructively with Kidderminster Harriers and support its ambitions where we can.”
The report was considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday 15 October before Cabinet made its final decision.
The Cabinet report can be read in full on the council’s website: https://forms.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/council/meetings/com193.htm#mt9090