Building for the future of our community

Kidderminster Harriers are calling for the support of the local community as the club looks to take the next step in its vision to create new sporting opportunities for people across the Wyre Forest.

Plans being considered by Wyre Forest District Council would see the club purchase approximately 8.5 hectares of land adjacent to its training ground at Burlish Meadows, creating the opportunity to develop four full-size pitches, including a number of artificial grass surfaces, alongside junior pitches. The plans follow significant growth within the club's young player pathway, which contained just ten teams in 2023. The system hosted over 700 young players across 60 teams last season and will have 800 players for the forthcoming campaign and more than 1,000 by 2030.

The proposals also support the continued growth of the club's Academy and education programmes, while also creating facilities that can be used by schools, grassroots clubs, community groups and local people for generations to come.

As a club rooted in its community, Kidderminster Harriers has grown significantly in every area in the last five years. Demand for football and community sport has grown alongside it, and the additional space would help create more opportunities for children and young people to play, learn and enjoy the benefits of regular physical activity in a safe, high-quality environment.

The proposal forms part of the club's wider ambition to strengthen its role at the heart of the local community, building facilities that will support participation, education and wellbeing for generations to come.

Harriers Owner Richard Lane said: "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. These facilities have all but disappeared from our local area in recent times and having them available is essential to ensure young people can remain as active and healthy in mind and body as possible.

"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.

"We know how important this area is to local people, and we fully respect that. People can be assured that the Burlish Top Nature Reserve is not within the scope of these plans, which also only involve around 21% of Burlish Country Park. Significant public areas will still remain accessible to all and, further to that, we have a commitment to biodiversity mitigation measures and would intend to work closely with the Council in that regard."

"Kidderminster Harriers has always believed its role extends well beyond what happens on a Saturday afternoon at Aggborough Stadium. Every day, our Academy and Foundation coaches see the positive difference football can make through coaching, education and our work across the community. This proposal would allow us to build on that for many years to come."

Richard added: "I must thank Wyre Forest District Council not only for the support they've already shown to our long-term vision over the last number of years, but also for the consideration they'll give these proposals. I would encourage anyone who shares our ambition to create opportunities for young people and strengthen community sport across the district to lend their support."

The proposal will be considered by Wyre Forest District Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee before a decision is made by the Council's Cabinet. Should the process move forward, any future development would remain subject to planning permission and public consultation.