POTENTIAL SALE OF AGGBOROUGH STADIUM AND SURROUNDING LAND

[kc 176]

From what i have been told there is no existing sporting / football covenant in place which makes an insertion of one in any sale vital in my humble opinion.

If Mr Lane sells the club on in future years to a less genuine individual we could have a real issue.

[marcus garvey]

How does the finance side work? Where does the money for the purchase and redevelopment come from? How much will this all cost? Which company will hold the land and buildings asset? Will we borrow against the asset? What happens if the income streams don't match the borrowing?
I'm struggling to see how this can be good in the long term. Let's be honest, the fans won't be told anything but will be called upon when/if it fails.

[Morgan]

How does the finance side work? Where does the money for the purchase and redevelopment come from? How much will this all cost? Which company will hold the land and buildings asset? Will we borrow against the asset? What happens if the income streams don't match the borrowing?
I'm struggling to see how this can be good in the long term. Let's be honest, the fans won't be told anything but will be called upon when/if it fails.

I’d be gobsmacked if the football club ever owns the stadium. Slippery slope. Who owns the training ground these days?

[Harry Aire]

Thanks KC 176. I have written to Mr Hart as you suggested.

[garthrockett]

https://www.khist.org.uk/khist-statement-on-wyre-forest-district-council-wfdc-announcement-of-aggborough-stadium-sale-of-28-january-2026/

[Paulwj]

When I asked an (unpredictable I know) robot what it knew about the training ground it said the following.
The Brinton’s Field / CoSE plot in Stourport-on-Severn (DY11 7DY) is currently associated with active residential development and major local infrastructure works. As of February 2026, the site is part of significant local planning and construction activity.
Current Status & Key Developments
Housing Development: The "CoSE" (Centre of Sporting Excellence) plot area is undergoing a transition toward residential use. A temporary closure order for nearby footpaths (SV-530 and AD-522) is scheduled to commence on 19 February 2026 for approximately six months to facilitate a housing development.

[Paulwj]

It’s probably nonsense but interesting if true

[Phil]

Housing? More like tiny little one man lock up industrial units.

This council have no ambition for anything grander but Wychavon does. 6 Ways, Worcester.

[Pirate of Zaragoza]

I was told that one of the 14 pitches was going to have a small stand and floodlights and would be home for the womens team

[Harrier1994]

I was told that one of the 14 pitches was going to have a small stand and floodlights and would be home for the womens team

Can't find the statement on the Harriers website but here is the article that says that's the plan


https://kidderminsterstandard.co.uk/sport/football-kidderminster-harriers-women-to-play-home-games-at-droitwich-spa-following-promotion/

[garthrockett]

One of the things mentioned in the council meeting was the sale of part of Zortech Avenue; I assumed that was separate to the Aggborough discussion, but looking at google maps development of this road could give better transport access to the football academy and training facilities on the Stourport road?

[Jasper]

Housing? More like tiny little one man lock up industrial units.

This council have no ambition for anything grander but Wychavon does. 6 Ways, Worcester.



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Phil they can attract the large industrial units because of the access to the motorway network (M5) adjacent to Sixways' various developments.

[Phil]

Housing? More like tiny little one man lock up industrial units.

This council have no ambition for anything grander but Wychavon does. 6 Ways, Worcester.

Phil they can attract the large industrial units because of the access to the motorway network (M5) adjacent to Sixways' various developments.

I understand that Jasper but I just wish our council would think things through and be a little more pro-active when it comes to attracting investment and employment.

Take Silverwoods as a brilliantly flawed example.

Here was an opportunity to do just that but what have we ended up with? A hodge-podge of residential, industry, leisure, nursing homes and a yellow blot on the landscape. Who on earth thought it was a great idea to stick old people between a factory and a yellow box and then un-believably get the planning permission passed for it.

As for the road through then there's another disaster. Too narrow and too many roundabouts for heavy lorries to use even though the original intention was to take heavy through traffic away from Foley Park

I know a couple of people who lived along that road and they regret the day they bought cheap to get on the property ladder and then waited two years to sell at an equally low price.

Silverwoods should have been industrial from day one. The council should have built a couple of large units, sold them and the waiting developers would soon appear.

Yet again WFDC have failed their residents.

[garthrockett]

I understand that Jasper but I just wish our council would think things through and be a little more pro-active when it comes to attracting investment and employment.

Take Silverwoods as a brilliantly flawed example.

Here was an opportunity to do just that but what have we ended up with? A hodge-podge of residential, industry, leisure, nursing homes and a yellow blot on the landscape. Who on earth thought it was a great idea to stick old people between a factory and a yellow box and then un-believably get the planning permission passed for it.

As for the road through then there's another disaster. Too narrow and too many roundabouts for heavy lorries to use even though the original intention was to take heavy through traffic away from Foley Park

I know a couple of people who lived along that road and they regret the day they bought cheap to get on the property ladder and then waited two years to sell at an equally low price.

Silverwoods should have been industrial from day one. The council should have built a couple of large units, sold them and the waiting developers would soon appear.

As someone who worked next to the Sugar Beet factory for 30 odd years and watched the development of the factory area from next door I might be able to explain some of the ' missed opportunities' Phil.
When Bostik (the factory you can see behind the car park at Starbucks) was owned by Ashland Chemical we were a COMAH licensed site; we stored a certain threshold of hazardous chemicals that meant no new residential/commercial development within our "sphere of influence" ; about half a mile radius. Up to about 2005 that was still the rules, until we stopped making phenolic resins and started on glues, and our COMAH licence was not required and residential and commercial was allowed as neighbours (within reason). We as a company were heavily involved in what our new neighbours would be, liaising with council planning and the Environmental Agency. As I understand the roundabouts and road system is as it is due to the weird geology of the old site, settlement pits used at the old beet factory, and natural sandstone faults. There was even consideration given to an series of artificial pitches being laid adjacent to the leisure centre, nixed by the geology.
The whole development attracted a lot more central govt cash if certain criteria was met regarding residential, leisure and commercial; hence the mish mash of different stuff.
Our tankers, transport etc, have continually used the Silverwoods short cut onto the Worcester road as soon as it was open, and still do, as it cuts 10 minutes off a journey.

A bit off topic but maybe interesting for all the locals.

[KHIST admin]

Dear Councillor Marcus Hart,


SALE OF FREEHOLD: AGGBOROUGH STADIUM AND
ADJACENT CAR PARK

I am the Chairperson of the Kidderminster Harriers
Independent Supporters’ Trust (KHIST). I am contacting you
on behalf of the members of KHIST and of those many
worried Kidderminster Harriers Football Club (KHFC) Fans
who have contacted the Trust since the news broke last week
of the proposed sale by Wyre Forest District Council (WFDC)
of the freehold of Aggborough Stadium and the adjacent car
park.

Since the Trust was first notified of the proposed Freehold
Sale under the “Assets of Community Value” regulations, we
have made it clear that KHIST is not opposed to the sale but
is concerned to secure the future of football at Aggborough.
We have been advocating the need for covenants
guaranteeing the continuance of football at Aggborough to
govern the terms of the freehold sale. To this end, we have
been seeking meetings with the Owner of KHFC and
representatives of WFDC.

Unfortunately despite our efforts, the Owner of KHFC
(Richard Lane) has neither acknowledged nor responded to
KHIST representations.
This does not instil confidence in the
fanbase in relation to the undertakings he has given. In the
absence of legally binding covenants, how can we be sure
that the KHFC Owner will adhere to his promises if his
circumstances change?

If Richard Lane were to sell KHFC, his
Successor would not be legally obliged to continue football at
Aggborough. Contrary to some recent reports, if the Sale to
the KHFC Owner is completed, then it is our understanding
that the freehold of the Stadium will not belong to the
Football Club but to a separate entity owned by Richard Lane.

KHIST has tried on several occasions to meet with representatives of Wyre Forest
District to urge the need for the covenants we are seeking.
You may remember that I mentioned this to you at a
Harrier’s home game several weeks ago. You led me to
believe that you were trying to find a date for talks between
representatives of KHIST and WFDC. I thanked you for your
efforts. Since then, two scheduled meetings between us have
been cancelled at short notice. We have been offered a
revised meeting date (Tuesday 17 th February) but this is a
week after the Cabinet is due to make the relevant decisions
on Wednesday 11 th February.

KHIST Members and other KHFC fans are becoming frustrated.
How can we get a hearing of the case for
Covenants on the Freehold Sale to safeguard the future of
football at Aggborough before key District Council decisions
are made? Would it be possible for a KHIST Deputation to
address the Cabinet?

There is now great urgency as we understand that WFDC
determination of this matter is imminent. We hope to hear
from you very soon.

KHIST has researched a paper identifying the adverse
consequences for fourteen Football Clubs throughout
England where Grounds have been sold without Covenants.
My colleague, Tim Gibbons, will be forwarding a copy to you
later this week.

In the interests of transparency and of keeping the huge numbers of KHFC fans that have been in contact with ourselves informed, this communication will open to read on the KHIST website, the Kidderminster Harriers online forum and released to the local press and media.


Yours sincerely,

JERRY BARTLETT

Chairperson, Kidderminster Harriers Independent
Supporters’ Trust,