Nature lovers have banded together. They want to stop a football club from paving over green belt land.
Kidderminster Harriers have big plans. They want to buy 8.5 hectares at Burlish Meadows. That’s part of a much larger country park near Stourport-onSevern.
The club argues it helps the community. Kids playing sport? Good. But the Friends of Burlish Meadow see things differently. They think the ecosystem gets trampled for this.
“Burlish is a big green lung,” said co-founder Jason Kernohan. “It’s vital for people for recreation. It’s vital for wildlife.”
Context matters. This place used to be a golf course. The local council took over in 2018. They turned it into a conservation area instead.
Kernohan isn’t anti-pitch. He just wants them elsewhere. Maybe on a brownfield site? Why ruin nature when we have blight?
Here is the problem. Burlish Meadows is acid grassland. It is rare in Worcestershire. Really rare.
“One butterfly. The white letter hairstreak. It’s one of the few places in the county you’ll find it.”
And plants. Tower mustard. A species found at less than thirty sites across Britain.
To lose that biodiversity feels like a terrible mistake. Does anyone consider that?
The Harriers’ proposal is specific. Four full-size pitches. Three are artificial turf. Two for juniors.
Richard Lane owns the club. He says this will leave a lasting mark on the community. Every day he sees coaches make a positive difference. Education. Sports. Community work. This plan, he says, allows that work to continue for years.
So the council sits tight. David Ross handles finance for Wyre Forest District Council. He knows about the campaign concerns. He knows people are upset.
“No decision has been made,” he says.
The cabinet considers the matter on Thursday. Until then. No comments.
Who ends up with the land?
