RESIDENTS in Wolverley and Cookley have narrowly voted against splitting the parish in two following a ballot.

A local advisory poll was held yesterday (Thursday, July 12) asking villagers whether or not the Wolverley and Cookley Parish Council should be dissolved and two new ones serving each area created instead.

A total of 1,058 people cast their votes with 541 saying ‘no’ and 517 in favour of the plan. Overall turnout for the poll was just under 28 per cent.

The poll was held after the parish authority presented Wyre Forest District Council with a petition calling for the community governance review.

Those in favour of separation had hoped to hold elections to the two new councils in May next year but the poll result appears to have sunk the proposal.

Wyre Forest District Council will discuss the result and all other responses at a meeting on July 25.