A STUNNING 40 acre amenity for the people of Alcester is set to be officially opened in the next fortnight.
Called the Alcester Green River Corridor, it will run along both banks of the River Arrow as it meanders through the heart of the ancient market town.
Created thanks to the drive and determination of Alcester town council, the initiative effectively removes the risk of any future development there while creating recreational space for residents and the chance for wildlife to thrive.
District and town councillor Mike Gittus said he was delighted to see the project come to fruition, despite reaching stalemate over efforts to buy the adjoining ten acre Alcester nature reserve from Stratford district council.
“I’m disappointed we couldn’t get the nature reserve but I’m not going to let it stand in our way. I’m still a district councillor and we’re all going to work really hard together because this is a really great scheme that will benefit everyone in Alcester,” he said.
Over the last 18 months the town council has bought the School Road allotments and the Priory Meadow scheduled monument site which dates back to the 12th Century.
Further areas are available adjacent to the recent land purchases and negotiations are continuing with the landowners.
A local organisation provided a grant for the purchase of the allotments – estimated at £90,000 – with £20,000 earmarked for the immediate maintenance of the Scheduled Monument.
A key part of the scheme will be access: “Our aim is to open up public access points at the rear of the cemetery and at the bottom of School Road to the area known as Priory Meadow, (14 acres) and to provide an additional 20 allotments in the coming weeks,” said Coun Gittus.
“Our long term objective is to manage, protect and enhance this valuable green open space for the residents of Alcester now and into the future.”
