The man leading a review into the future of Chasewater says rumours of a sell-off are untrue.
A cross-party group of county councillors have met to discuss the management of Staffordshire’s country parks ahead of a public consultation.
A number of options – including selling off sites – have been considered as part of the review.
But Cllr Mark Winnington, Cabinet member for the environment, said local rumours that Chasewater would be sold were wide of the mark.
He said: “The meeting of our Prosperous Staffordshire select committee was very useful, not least because it was another opportunity to correct some inaccurate public speculation and emphasise again that we have no plans, at all, to sell Cannock Chase or Chasewater.
“At this stage, it was the right thing to put all the options on the table and they ranged from one end of the spectrum to the other. It was never suggested that all of them would be viable, or that one solution would be appropriate for everywhere.
“It’s quite clear that what might be suitable for one site, may be completely unsuitable for another.
“When the consultation comes I would urge people to see what is being proposed and comment on that, rather than on what some are suggesting is being proposed.”
Other options that are being considered include continuing with the current management or forming partnerships with other groups to run sites.
Cllr Winnington added: “We’ll take the points raised from our meeting and add them to the suggestions and ideas that have emerged over the last nine months from our talks with interested groups, including the Forestry Commission, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, parish councils and users groups.
“That report is due to be considered next month by the council’s cabinet and if it is approved, there will be 12 weeks for the public to have their say on what is being proposed.”
