Council to discuss controversial Alcester Nature Reserve lease

A CONTROVERSIAL decision to transfer ownership of Alcester Nature Reserve to the local town council on a 99-year lease rather than a freehold basis has been referred back to Stratford District Council’s ruling cabinet for reconsideration.

The decision was called in by Cllr Susan Adams (Cons, Alcester and Rural), the current council chairman, and two former chairman – Cllr Mike Gittus (Cons, Kinwarton) and Cllr Eric Payne (Cons, Alcester Town).

On Wednesday the district council’s overview and scrutiny committee agreed with them that the decision should go back to the cabinet so that it could be looked at again.

The three councillors argued that the previous decision by the cabinet had been taken without due consultation and professional advice.

Cllr Gittus told the committee: “We have worked very closely with the council and various agencies to bring about an opportunity for Alcester Town Council to preserve a very large green open space in the town.

“Myself and others were dismayed by the change of direction we had not been party to and this was not acceptable to the parties involved.”

Four members of the committee supported the request to refer the decision back to the cabinet and one abstained.