A newly formed community group, the Friends of Burlish Meadows, is opposing plans by Kidderminster Harriers Football Club to buy and develop 8.5 hectares of green belt land at Burlish Meadows, a 40-hectare country park near Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire. The club argues the new pitches would benefit the community and encourage children into sport, while campaigners say the scheme would damage a rare and valuable local ecosystem. The dispute matters because it pits community sporting provision against the protection of a conservation site, with a council decision imminent.

The land, formerly a golf course, was taken over by Wyre Forest District Council in 2018 and turned into a conservation area of rare acid grassland, home to scarce species such as the white-letter hairstreak butterfly and the tower mustard plant. The Harriers' plans include four full-size pitches (three artificial) and two junior pitches, and owner Richard Lane said the development would not affect the neighbouring Burlish Top Nature Reserve. Campaigners dispute this, arguing wildlife does not recognise boundaries and that the site is one of few flat outdoor spaces accessible to people with limited mobility. The council said no decision has been made and the matter goes before its cabinet on Thursday.