RESIDENTS living near Bromsgrove Rovers' Victoria Ground - who three years ago mounted a vigorous, successful campaign to stop developers moving in - are delighted a renewed bid to acquire the site has been thrown out.

At a meeting of Bromsgrove District Council's cabinet last Wednesday (July 12) councillors voted unanimously to reject a bid from Real Estate Properties Limited to buy the ground and the public car park at the junction of Birmingham and Stourbridge Roads, which is also council owned.

Previously the council had held an exploratory meeting with the company which is acting on behalf of an unnamed developer who has been in discussion with owners of land adjoining the council sites.

The intention was to acquire parcels of land on which to build a mixed use development including a small supermarket, two retail units and possibly housing.

It is understood no discussion over the sale price of the land in question took place.

Cabinet member, Councillor Caroline Spencer (Con-Slideslow), said, following Wednesday's meeting: "We are not selling the land but we had to go through the process. That is the end of the matter.

"The ground belongs to Bromsgrove and we will honour the deed of covenant," She added the council plans to concentrate its efforts into revitalising High Street.

In 2003 the Advertiser/Messenger exclusively revealed details of a secret scheme to develop the Victoria Ground and relocate Rovers to a new stadium.

Then, Sue Haswell of Victoria Road was a leading campaigner against the council's controversal agreement to give a virtually unknown developer a year to put together a 'land package' for the ground, rumoured to be on behalf of Tesco.

On being told the news this week she said: "I'm delighted the council has seen fit to reject this latest approach. We will always fight any plan to develop the ground."

Rovers' chairman Tom Herbert who is looking forward to what he hopes will be successful season at Victoria Ground agreed it was good news.

Real Estate Properties could not be contacted for a comment.

Under the terms of a covenant dated May 14, 1948, drawn up a sporting consortium the ground was entrusted to the district council on condition it shall be used by the club. If football ceases to be played there it is to revert to a public open space.