Share scheme to preserve tunnels

ANGRY protesters are considering buying the historic Drakelow Tunnels to scupper a controversial scheme to convert them into a training centre for the unemployed.

About 130 Wolverley residents attended a highly charged parish council meeting on Tuesday, where the idea of purchasing the site via a community charity fund was raised.

The idea will be researched before being discussed as one of the options for action at a public meeting at Wolverley Memorial Hall next Thursday at 7.30pm.

Birmingham-based charity, Jericho Community Project, has tabled an application to Wyre Forest District Council to house 30 residents at the site with further development in the future.

The organisation helps people who face "significant barriers" including ex-offenders, former drug addicts, the disabled and the homeless, get into work.

Villagers claim the multi-million pound proposals, which include technology used at the Eden Project to help lighten the tunnels, would harm the landscape and destroy wildlife.

On Tuesday parish councillors unanimously recommended the district council reject the plans.

Shaun Wilkes, who lives near to the site, said: "Everyone in the village is totally up in arms about this.

"It will cause so much destruction and problems to the land. It is just unbelievable that the plan is even being considered.

"Most people agree that the only real option available is to buy the tunnels and hand them back to be preserved."

He added: "Even if this application is refused then another one will probably be placed again. That will mean another fight."

A businessman has come up with the idea of a share scheme to buy the tunnels from the current owners before Jericho can complete its deal.

It has been suggested that residents purchase shares in £1,000 multiples, perhaps by adding up to £10,000 to their mortgages which would cost them about £62 a month.

The tunnels would then be opened for educational purposes and guided tours.

The underground complex was built in 1941 for the manufacture of aero engines for the war effort.

At the end of the conflict they were earmarked as a regional seat of government in the event of a nuclear strike during the Cold War.

Richard Beard, Jericho's deputy chief executive, confirmed an agreement had been struck to buy the complex if plans are approved.

He added: "It is in a fairly poor state of repair and is a bit of an eyesore. One of the key aims of the project is bringing it back into being a site of outstanding natural beauty.

"Another priority of the project is to make sure we do everything in a manner that is friendly to the environment.

"This project is not about creating social problems. It is about solving them. It is certainly not going to be a case of transporting Birmingham's problems to rural Worcestershire."

If the scheme gets the green light construction will take 18 months and the centre will open in early 2008.

Eight tunnel entrances will give access to living accommodation, training facilities, workshops and offices.

Mr Beard also confirmed the initiative would provide new jobs but said reports that 400 positions could be created were "some way off the mark".

Malcolm Hazlewood, who represents Wolverley on the district council, urged residents to attend next week's public meeting.

He said: "I have had so many calls about this issue and they have been 100 per cent against it.

"The biggest problem with the plan is that it would be a massive development on greenbelt land. The council has been adamant in the past about such things, so why they are even considering this work I do not know."

Paul Stokes, founder of the preservation group, Friends of Drakelow Tunnels, stressed he was against the Jericho scheme.

He explained: "It has been suggested that our organisation was in favour of the project but it is actually the total opposite.

"While we understand that Jericho support what we do, we do not support what they wish to do."

Plans for the site can be viewed at www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk

Those wishing to raise objections should send letters by recorded delivery to Clare Eynon at the district council planning department, Duke House, Clensmore Street, Kidderminster DY10 2JX.

What do you think of the plans for the tunnels?

Do you have wartime memories of the tunnels?

Write to Letters Page, Shuttle/Times and News, 6 Towers Buildings, Blackwell Street, Kidderminster DY10 2DY or email clive.joyce@midlands.newsquest.co.uk