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Staffordshire Council vows not to sell country estates

Staffordshire County Council has vowed not to sell any part of its countryside estate portfolio - including prized assets such as Chasewater and Cannock Chase - despite the fact some land is considered to be a drain on the public purse.

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The authority reacted to a fierce public backlash which was sparked by fears bosses would consider selling off popular and much-loved sites.

The council is reviewing what to do with the 18 countryside sites it owns throughout Staffordshire, which cost around £900,000 per year to run.

But after a list of 10 options was published including proposals to sell some locations or transfer ownership to other organisations, Cannock's Green Party launched a petition to 'Save Staffordshire Countryside' which has been backed by campaign group 38 Degrees and attracted more than 11,000 signatures.

But at a recent meeting, the council's Prosperous Staffordshire Select Committee ruled out any move which would see the authority relinquish ownership of any of the sites.

This includes 52 acres of land at Wimblebury Road in Cannock, Broad Lane in Essington and a patch in the village of Branston, which are not used by the public and bosses said were costing 'thousands' a year to maintain.

Instead the board advised that the council should instead try to generate more income from its countryside estates and set up a charitable trust or community interest company to run the attractions.

The committee also said some of the smaller sites, such as picnic areas at Cannock Wood or Hatherton Reservoir, could be managed by a community group or parish council.

Environment chief Councillor Mark Winnington claimed the original options had been misrepresented by campaigners.

He said: "I reiterate that there are no plans to sell off Cannock Chase and Chasewater.

"I am really, really angry 38 Degrees used this as a political pawn to upset residents and make them think we are trying to sell off one of the crown jewels in terms of green space. It's been very mischievous.

"I am not impressed and the people who are being duped by it will realise they are being sent down the wrong avenue."

Paul Woodhead, co-ordinator of Cannock's Green Party claimed the council had 'climbed down' due to the campaign.

He said: "Our campaign is vindicated to raise the profile of important issues and promote engagement at an early stage of the process.

"The support and passion of all our supporters has, I am convinced made a real difference to the debate which is forcing a different outcome than would have been seen without this engagement."

Formal options on what to do with each of the sites will be published in October.

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