Archaeological concern over adventure golf

A golf club in Northampton has become the latest to attempt to build an adventure golf area to appeal to juniors.

However, its proposals could be scuppered because an organisation that protects historic battlefields believes the proposals may be archeologically destructive.

Delapre Golf Centre already has four golf courses to appeal to non-traditional golfers – one nine-hole venue, two par 3 courses and a pitch and putt facility, as well as its 18-hole course. However, with Abbey Hill Golf Centre nearby, which has benefited from its Pirate Island Adventure Golf, the club would like to build a new adventure golf course and a 126-space car park.

The club has applied for planning permission to the local council. One of the objectors, though, is The Battlefield Trust, which has stated that the land to be developed may be where the Battle of Northampton, which eventually led to the capture of King Henry VI and made way for Edward IV to take the throne, was fought in 1460.

The chairman of the trust’s Mercia branch, Simon Marsh, said: “This would have a detrimental impact on the character of the battlefield and could destroy crucial archaeology that will be central to demonstrating exactly where the action was fought.”

The club’s manager, Greg Iron, said: “There wouldn’t be any actual excavation, it would be done just by removing top soil. So we’d love to do it, but if we have to spend an awful lot of money on archaeological digs, it may scupper our plans.”