The trust had argued that it needed the money and that the £250,000 a year the sale would produce would be used to boost its annual grants to worthy causes and individuals.
But in a statement today the trust said it had listened to the voice of the community and would not now be pursuing the development.
The gates are now very much locked to developers at Rowley Fields. Photo: Mark Williamson.
Instead, it said it would work with townspeople to set up a Friends of Rowley Fields to help with the maintenance of the land and look at ways of further utilising it for recreational purposes and income generation for the future.
The decision, which had been made by the board of trustees in the light of the huge opposition to the scheme, means that the extraordinary general meeting planned for 2nd March has now been cancelled.
Alan Haigh, the trust’s chairman, said: “As we have said all along, we are a charity working for the good of Stratford-upon-Avon. We do not want to pursue a course of action which our membership and the community we work for does not support.
“We have taken the decision to stop preparing plans for the 7.8 acre parcel of Rowley Fields at the earliest opportunity.
“We have met representatives of those living next to Rowley Fields and the chairman of the Stratford Society and spent considerable time discussing a way forward.
“Our ambition now is to work together to establish a means of enhancing Rowley Fields as a recreational space and generating income from it.”
For a full report and reaction see Thursday’s Herald.
Let us know what you think of this surprise u-turn – e-mail news@stratford-herald.com.