Fears are growing about the future of Shrewsbury’s public golf course amid claims it is being sold off for development.
The 12-hole Meole Brace Golf Club, owned by Shropshire Council, has been the subject of closure rumours for a number of years, but this week rumours about the site being sold in an £18million deal have increased.
The course and pitch and putt facility have been criticised in the past for being in poor condition but golfers are adamant they will fight to protect the valued piece of green land.
David Farmer, Shrewsbury Town Councillor, contacted the Chronicle with his concerns after hearing from a number of different sources that the land was at risk.
“One concern I do have is that Shropshire Council are going to sell the golf course, and the figure I have heard is £18 million. Many people have stopped and asked me if this is true.
“I do not know, and hope the rumour is not,” he added.
“I’m horrified that such a jewel in the crown is going to be sold from under our feet without us having any input.
“Now Shropshire Council is short of £60 million they will do anything they can to balance the books. I appreciate that but not at the cost of the golf club which is largely green-belt land which needs preserving. I’ve had it on good authority that an offer was made to the council by a contractor to buy the golf course,” he added.
A number of other councillors who did not wish to be named said they have also heard the growing rumours. Jonathan Wood, a regular player at the course, said: “It is a unique leisure facility in the town and it would be a shame to lose it. They’re putting a lot of money into other sites including the sports village and the community pitches on Oteley Road but golf doesn’t seem to get the same kind of treatment.”
Earlier this year the course was put forward as a site for potential development as part of Shropshire Council’s consultation process for forming the Local Development Framework for the next 20 years. Consultation ended at the end of June and it is expected to take two years before any final document and strategy is revealed.
George Candler, assistant director for culture and leisure services at Shropshire Council, said: “Shropshire Council as part of its transformation programme is reviewing all aspects on how we deliver our services and the assets that we own and this review is still ongoing. No decision either way has been made on the future of the Golf Course.”
by Anna Williams