In a news item on 10th July, we told you how we were horrified to learn that an agreement in principle has been made by Wyre Forest District Council (WFDC) to sell part of Burlish Meadows Conservation Area. This is an incredible area of rare acid grassland, which is home to special wildlife that needs this habitat as well as being an important freely accessible greenspace for local people.

Since then, Steve Bloomfield, our Head of Conservation, and I had a frank exchange of views with senior staff and councillors from WFDC, where we expressed our significant concerns about the proposal. We sought clarity about the consultation process to ensure our voice, and the voices of those who share our concerns, carry appropriate weight in the decision-making process.

This week, Steve and I met Mark Garnier MP at Burlish Meadows to show him the valuable habitats and discuss the issues at stake.

Many of you will already know that the consultation process to dispose of this public open space runs until Friday 14^th August. 

When it's gone, it's gone so anyone who wants to object to the proposed sale of this vital greenspace needs to do so in writing to:

Jamie Sloan
Corporate Policy Officer
Wyre Forest District Council
Wyre Forest House
Finepoint Way
Kidderminster
DY11 7WF

or by email to jamie.sloan@wyreforestdc.gov.uk.

You can read the WFDC Notice of Proposed Disposal of Open Space Land.

On behalf of the Trust, I strongly encourage everyone with concerns to engage in this process and make your views known via the details above. We will be doing the same. 

It's important for Wyre Forest District residents to also contact your district councillors to let them know your views. It's situations like this where making a noise really matters; councillors have to hear our collective voice.

WFDC have a duty to consider your feedback and we sought reassurance that they will do this. We understand that feedback will be analysed and presented to WFDC's Cabinet in November. They will make the final decision rather than full Council. This is so important that we feel the matter should be considered by the full Council rather than the Cabinet alone, especially because the Cabinet have made their views clear by supporting the proposal in principle ahead of the public consultation.

What to say in your response

We believe the following points are critical:

1. Significant public funds have been spent since 2019 on creating a public open space that is increasingly important for nature and for visitors.
   1. Support via the Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s Natural Networks programme offered both grant funding and extensive staff time to support this work.
   2. Significant time and effort has been expended by WFDC colleagues to create and manage Burlish Meadows.
2. The importance of Burlish Meadows to residents and wildlife
   1. The site has intrinsic value as rare acid grassland, one of the rarest habitats in the county. Whilst it was a golf course and farmed for a period before that, it has a long history of heathland, acid grassland and a history of public access.
   2. Free and accessible open green space valued by the local community with a wide range of physical and mental health and wellbeing benefits. Please give your personal experiences for how you benefit from the area, such as improvements to your health and wellbeing.
   3. Burlish Meadows is enjoyed by many and takes visitor pressure of more sensitive areas - parts of the wider block of heathland, acid grassland and woodland overall include nationally designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
3. Relative weight of environment vs development in decision making
   1. At a time of biodiversity and climate emergencies, great weight should be placed upon the multiple benefits provided by this land, which is managed as a nature reserve.
   2. 21% is not the small proportion it has been made out to be. 8.5 hectares of this important habitat is significant and should not be underestimated.
4. Compliance with WFDC's statutory biodiversity duty
   1. Replacing lost areas of acid grassland is extremely challenging as it requires the right soil, landscape and management in order to be effective.
   2. WFDC proposal to offset harm is unlikely to be successful. The proposals will require offsite Biodiversity Net Gain delivery. We are wholly unconvinced that this will be successful.
   3. WFDC propose that their Evergreen Investment Fund will receive any receipts from the sale of land and invest in green and open public spaces within the District. However, as the fund has broader uses, we remain concerned that funds will not be directed to offset harm caused.
5. Is the future of the rest of Burlish Meadows Conservation Area at risk?
   1. While we do not know of any immediate plans to dispose of more land at Burlish Meadows, the current district councillors explained that they cannot control the decisions of future members or that of the soon-to-be formed North Worcestershire Unitary. The site has no long-term protections so we remain concerned that this proposal is the start of a larger loss of public green space and rare acid grassland. 

Thank you to everyone who has already written and who is campaigning locally against this proposal.

Please make your voice heard now. The consultation closes on Friday 14th August 2026. Write to or email Jamie Sloan - see address above.

Thank you for your support for Burlish Meadows. This is one of the most worrying proposals from a local authority that we've ever seen and could set a terrible precedent, not only for Burlish Meadows but for many special sites across the county.

Make your voice heard