Two more golf clubs embark on housing projects

Emma Williams
By Emma Williams June 22, 2016 11:54

At least two more UK golf clubs are embarking on major housing projects in a bid to provide investment in the venues themselves.

Several golf clubs have sold parts of their land to housing developers in the last few years and then used the money to invest in the remainder of their land.

Falling participation in golf since the start of this century, which has reduced the money available to golf clubs to spend, plus a national housing shortage, have driven the trend. It is also thought that houses very close to golf courses are typically worth more than similar sized properties further away in the same area.

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Housing by Roxburghe GC. Several houses have appeared by golf courses in recent years

Woodham Golf and Country Club in Durham has been granted planning permission to build 50 homes to safeguard its future.

The club was bought was bought by development company Hall Construction in 2014, and reports have suggested the course could close if no significant investment is made in it,

Hall Construction’s plan includes course design improvements such as larger tee areas, new fairways and greens, additional holes and a new practice area, as well as the refurbishment of the clubhouse, on top of the 50-strong housing development. In total the project is set to cost £9.7 million.

“The golf course suffers from poor drainage which results in around 70 days of closure a year,” states the application. “This, in turn, impacts on membership numbers and the golf club currently requires an annual subsidy of around £400,000 per annum from Hall Construction to remain operational. This is not sustainable.”

Hall Construction has also said the refurbished facility will include provision for free golf to children aged under 11 and for local charities.

Councillor Mike Dixon said: “For some, you get a foot in the door and end up developing the whole site and the golf club disappears.

“But its present owner has already spent quite a lot of money on the course, so it would be a waste on their part to put the money in and then decide to build on it.

“This is a good resolution to a site that is going to go on being an eyesore unless we use it.

“It is the best deal we are going to get.”

Councillor Henry Nicholson added: “High-end housing is needed and it will also encourage young people to take up golf.

“It is fantastic and I am delighted to support this application.”

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Housing by Ballumbie Castle GC in Dundee

And land at the entrance to Beeston Fields Golf Club in Nottingham is being sold by the owners in a bid to raise cash to fund the refurbishment of the clubhouse.

The site, of around 0.75 acres, has planning consent for three, four-bedroom houses.

Philippa Marshall, Beeston Fields managing director, said: “This development is an exciting opportunity for us. It will improve the entrance to Beeston Fields and will also enable us to move ahead with our ambitious plans to refurbish and upgrade our restaurant and clubhouse.”

Ann Taylor, associate director in the development team at Savills Nottingham, which is marketing the land, added: “The redevelopment of the land will enable the owners to realise their aspirations for improvements, which will not only benefit its members and residents in the close vicinity, but also provide an opportunity for striking new residential units in an attractive green and leafy setting.

“I have no doubt that this site will be highly desirable to developers.”

 

Emma Williams
By Emma Williams June 22, 2016 11:54
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