The campaign to protect Burlish Meadows from development has gained momentum as Stourport Civic Society applies for the site to be registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV). The newly formed Friends of Burlish Meadows group has welcomed this move, calling it an "important and positive step" in their fight against plans to sell part of the nature reserve and country park for new football pitches for Kidderminster Harriers Football Club.
What is at Stake?
The area in question, formerly a golf club, has evolved over the past decade into a cherished wilderness for local residents. Now, Wyre Forest District Council's proposal to dispose of the land could see it transformed into third-generation (3G) football pitches. Jason Kernohan, chair of Friends of Burlish Meadows, described the decision as "very disappointing" but "not entirely surprising."
The ACV application follows discussions between the two organisations and forms part of a coordinated campaign against the council's proposal. Kernohan stated: "We fully support Stourport Civic Society's decision to apply for Asset of Community Value status and we're grateful for their commitment to protect Burlish Meadows for the local community. This demonstrates what grassroots campaigns can do when local organisations work in partnership."
Community Response and Concerns
The application arrives as the statutory consultation period on the proposed disposal is underway. Friends of Burlish Meadows is urging residents to submit formal objections to the council, while preparing for the planning application expected to follow. Kernohan added: "We recognise the importance of community sport and understand Kidderminster Harriers' ambitions. But neither the Council nor the Harriers have made a convincing case as to why so many additional football pitches are needed, nor why a conservation area containing rare acid grassland is the best and only possible location for the development."
The response from local people has been remarkable, according to Kernohan, who said: "We believe there are better solutions than sacrificing an established conservation area, and we will continue working constructively with organisations across the community to make that case." The Friends group views the ACV application as one element of a wider campaign involving planning, ecological, political, and community engagement work.
Ecological Importance of Burlish Meadows
Over the past 10 years, Wyre Forest District Council's ranger service has maintained the site, which has become a flower-rich grassland supporting rare insects, birds, and plants. Kernohan explained: "It's quite a rare habitat in the UK. Wildlife has started to reappear and come back, including various species such as bees, plus flies, moths, specialist species have started to colonise that area. But it's also used by the wider public, a lot of people go there just to walk with their families or walk with their dogs or for a picnic. It's such a beautiful green open space."
He warned that losing the site would have a major impact on biodiversity: "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. This does seem the thin end of the wedge and, if the Council go ahead with this, one fears what other important green spaces might be sold off in future."
Council and Club Defend Proposals
Wyre Forest District Council told BirminghamLive that "no final decision has been made to sell the land." A spokesperson confirmed: "Wyre Forest District Council's Cabinet agreed in principle to sell part of Burlish Country Park (Burlish Meadows) to Kidderminster Harriers Football Club at its meeting on Thursday 9 July 2026. Today (Friday 17 July) we've published a statutory notice on our website and in the Kidderminster Standard. It includes details of how objections to the proposals can be submitted. The deadline for this is Friday 14 August. All objections we receive through this process will be considered before a decision is made."
Kidderminster Harriers owner Richard Lane defended the plans, saying: "This is an opportunity to create something that will have a lasting impact on the community. While we're very proud of what we offer as a sporting provision for young footballers under the Harriers umbrella, we also want to provide facilities that give more adults and young people the chance to play sport, develop new skills and enjoy being active, while creating a resource that can be shared by schools, grassroots clubs and community organisations across the district."
Lane highlighted the club's growth since 2023, stating: "Our tremendous growth since 2023 means we are already over capacity, resulting in overuse of grass pitches that impacts on the quality surfaces that KHFC are renowned for. It is evident we need to expand beyond our current space to meet demand, and these proposals would give us the space to do exactly that." He assured that the Burlish Top Nature Reserve is not within the plans, which involve only around 21% of Burlish Country Park, and committed to biodiversity mitigation measures.
Looking Ahead
The Friends group remains resolute, with Kernohan noting the difficulty of engaging in the consultation process: "The district council came out on the Monday and if anybody from the public wanted to actually speak at the cabinet meeting, the closing date, do so, was on that Monday. So many of our members didn't actually have time, or weren't able, including myself, to actually go and speak." He also questioned the need for so many pitches, arguing that Harriers already have at least eight to nine full-size pitches and several half-size pitches, and that the proposed number would exceed those of Premier League clubs like West Bromwich, Aston Villa, and Wolves.
As the consultation deadline approaches, campaigners are urging residents to voice their objections. The outcome will determine the future of this unique green space, balancing community sport against conservation.
