New bunker war looms
Villagers from Wolverley, Cookley and Kinver are set for another battle against plans to convert a Second World War bunker into a training centre for the unemployed, including former offenders.
Protesters had hoped developers had ditched the controversial idea after 1,152 people sent protest letters to Wyre Forest District Council.
But Richard Beard, general manager of the Birmingham-based social enterprise group Jericho Community Business, which wants to create the centre at Drakelow Tunnels in Wolverley, near Kidderminster, confirmed today that environmental studies and wildlife surveys were being carried out in readiness for a fresh planning application.
The original proposal sparked outrage among residents who claimed it would destroy wildlife habitats and the character of the area.
They also said the unemployed people who would be resident at the centre would have nothing to do as there were few facilities in the village.
Since then Jericho has withdrawn the original application but submitted another involving two of the tunnels. This was put on hold when the council called for environmental studies.
Mr Beard said today: "We have done bat surveys and these show there are bats in the area. We have come up with a scheme which includes a special area for bats.
"We have definitely not scrapped the idea and will be holding meetings in the next few days to discuss our findings so far."
Members of the Drakelow Preservation Trust, formed by villagers and which made an unsuccessful bid to buy the Second World War bunker site to stop the development, have "vowed to carry on the fight".
