Buyers vye for college site (From Stourbridge News)

Buyers vye for college site

9:52am Friday 8th June 2007 in Local By Helen Attwood

THE future of a grade-one listed Halesowen parkland which is used as a training centre looks set to be safeguarded now two potential buyers have come forward.

Stourbridge College's horticultural centre at Leasowes Park on Mucklow Hill is set to close in 2008 leaving people concerned over the future of the site.

It features a large part of the historically important park designed by 18th century poet William Shenstone, a walled garden, vineyard, mobile buildings and greenhouses.

Now the future looks bright after the college revealed a training company and heritage firm are interested in buying it.

The Friends of the Leasowes feared the walled garden would turn into a "derelict eyesore" if no-one came forward to take it on and had written to Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP Sylvia Heal, councillor Harold Jackson and Dudley Council.

Marianne Diller, chairman of Friends of the Leasowes, said: "I'm pleased people are interested in buying it.

"It makes things look brighter from the point of view of the park.

"It would be nice to see it go as a viable concern with someone possibly prepared to take on the students and the garden because is so beautiful.

"It sounds promising.

"It provides a lot of environmental courses which I would think are viable."

The Leasowes is considered one of the most important 18th century gardens and is ranked ranked alongside landscapes such as Blenheim and Stowe.

A spokeswoman for Stourbridge College said: "The college is aware of and will ensure it takes into account the historical importance of the Leasowes site when the site is put on the market.

"We are in the process of exploring what the potential for the site might be and have already been approached by a number of organisations interested in the site for ether similar usage and or to maintain its historical importance."

A valuation will be done soon.

The closure of the 14-year-old centre, which teaches gardening and conservation to around 140 students, some with learning difficulties, is blamed on falling pupil numbers and a failed bid for funding from the Learning and Skills Council.

Stourbridge College pledged existing students will complete their training at its main Hagley Road site.