I am writing to express my concern over the proposed closure of the Horticultural Unit run by Stourbridge College within the Leasowes Park.

It is understood a lack of government funding for environmental based NVQ courses in favour of IT and the Performing Arts is one of the reasons for the closure.

This short-sighted strategy ignores positive student numbers and the excellent training provided for students with learning difficulties that has been acknowledged in a recent OFSTED report which gave high praise to the quality of tuition.

Unfortunately the proposed closure also raises the issue of what will happen to such a large and historically important area of land within a Grade 1 listed park.

Stourbridge College have already sold off land attached to the former home of the Stevens family in Stourbridge and vacated the old library building in the town centre. It is understood the freehold of the land within the park was passed to the college by Dudley MBC at some stage in the past and they now intend to sell.

We can only hope the council has placed restrictions on the land to protect it from building or other inappropriate use.

Will the beautiful walled garden face destruction or be left to become a derelict eyesore within the park?

All this at a time when restoration work is finally due to start in the park with the aim of promoting the Leasowes as an important historic attraction.

I urge all local people to make their views on the proposed closure and its effect on the future of the Leasowes, an historic park important both locally and nationally, known to the local councillors before it is too late to influence all the decisions that will be taken.

MR Diller, Chair, Friends of the Leasowes