Working toward sorting eyesore

Buy photos »

LAND due to be sold off in Studley has been branded an eyesore by councillors.

Coun Hazel Wright told the Standard the land around the Co-operative store in Alcester Road, which was built nine years ago, had ‘remained derelict and unkempt’ since. Boarding had been put up but she said even that had not improved the look of the site.

She said: “Myself and Coun Paul Beaman were becoming more and more angry as the condition of the site was affecting the local environment.

“I am pleased Stratford-on-Avon District Council has now officially acknowledged that the centre of the village has deteriorated and agreed that it is spoiling Studley.

“They have agreed to open up discussions with the Co-op which is a start and I hope we can arrive at an amicable agreement to improve the appearance of the village without having to resort to legal means.”

The company has now pledged to look at improving the area, which under is offer, until the sale goes through.

A spokeswoman for The Co-operative Group said: “The vacant property adjacent to our Co-operative Food store in Studley is currently under offer and we are hopeful that it will continue towards a successful completion.

“We understand however that this process can take time and we will look in to ways that we can improve the visual perspective of the site so that the local area is not impacted while the property is going through this sale process.”

A spokesman for Stratford-on-Avon District Council added the authority had written a letter to the company asking them to improve the look of the site, but no response had currently been received.

Regional news »