Thousands sign petition to save golf course

The municipal course is managed by Blaby District Council

More than 2,000 people have signed a petition to save a Leicestershire golf course threatened with closure.

Blaby District Council has proposed closing Enderby Golf Course as part of a plan to build 800 homes and an office park.

The authority runs the nine-hole site to the east of the village.

The petition, signed by 2,146 people and calls for the golf course not to be closed, will be discussed at a full council meeting on Tuesday.

Councillors will also discuss a separate petition, signed by 2,532 people, against the proposed inclusion of the golf course and nearby Carlton Park in the authority's new local plan - a strategy to find land for future development in the borough.

The petition against the site being included in the local plan states: "This whole area has significant importance to local and non-local residents for both physical and mental wellbeing.

"This accessible green space has been used and enjoyed by residents and non-residents for many decades, for recreational and leisure purposes."

A new community called Hayes Gardens is proposed for the 141 acre (57 hectare) site, near Brockington College.

Council leader Terry Richardson said there were strong feelings about the proposed development

Most of the proposed development site is owned by Santander UK, the authority said.

The banking firm said it had consolidated buildings on its Carlton Park office complex, leaving surplus land for potential housing.

Council leader Terry Richardson said: "We are always pleased to see our communities engaged in what we're doing as a council and our plans for growth to support our expanding population.

"We know there are some strong feelings behind the petitions and understand there is a lot of interest in attending the meeting."

Richardson said no decisions on the developments would be made at the meeting but the petitions would be referred to council departments after they were debated.

The council said it expected to launch a public consultation on its new local plan in the summer.