Two more courses to sell land for housing

A mixture of the UK’s housing shortage and the financial struggles golf clubs are continuing to face has meant that two more golf clubs are trying to sell parts of their land for housing.

Ashby Decoy Golf Club in Scunthorpe has agreed a deal with Persimmon Homes to sell off fives acres of surplus land, which will be converted into 71 properties.

The land was previously used as a practice area for the club’s members, but it has now become derelict.

A spokesman for the club said: “We have agreed to sell the land which is currently unused and surplus to our requirements.

“If the plan is approved, the cash raised will be used to enhance Ashby Decoy and the facilities for the members.”

The deal is subject to planning approval being granted by North Lincolnshire Council.

Meanwhile, Brickhampton Court Golf Complex in Gloucestershire is planning to give up four holes from its main course to be converted into housing.

The properties would replace the course’s current 8^th, 9^th, 10^th and 11^th holes.

The 18-hole course would be redesigned to incorporate land from the club’s nine-hole course, which will be turned into a practice area.

Club owner Terry Creed said: “We have been approached by planning consultants with a view to removing the land from holes eight to 11 out of the greenbelt.

“The 18-hole course will be fully operational before any development commences. We have ensured that should the sale proceed we will have sufficient funds to upgrade the main course and provide practice facilities. We will ensure that the main course will be improved should planning be successful.”

The developments come as municipal Maidenhead Golf Club has launched a petition to stop its local council closing the club down so that it can be converted into a housing development.

Last year clubs that sold parts of their courses for housing became a major trend.