Fears golf club homes not for local people

David Young said the "knock-on effect" of the development would "hit this community immensely"

Fears have been raised that an Oxford golf course, earmarked for a new housing development, won't help with the city's need for affordable housing.

Club members say they are concerned North Oxford Golf Club, on Banbury Road, will be used by London commuters rather than serving Oxford's housing needs.

The 118-year-old golf club is due to close at the end of this month when work is expected to begin on a planning application for homes on the site.

Co-landowner Oxford University previously said who the homes would be aimed at was still to be decided as they developed the planning application.

The 70-acre site has been earmarked in Cherwell District Council's adopted local plan as part of a 1,180-home development between Cutteslowe and the A34.

North Oxford Golf Club is 118 years old

A group of golfers known as the Greenway group came together to try to stop the plans but were unsuccessful.

David Young, who is a member of the club as well as the Greenway group, said: "There's a huge danger that a lot of this land, supposedly to meet Oxford's housing needs, will end up being 'executive housing' for yet more commuters."

He said the "knock-on effect" of the development would "hit this community immensely".

"Virtually all this land, which was in the Green Belt. will be built up and the disruption caused by building on that much land will be horrendous."

The golf club's facilities are open to the community, with yoga and Pilates classes taking place there.

Mr Young added: "Friendships are formed here, between people both within and outside the club.

"People are having to split up or go elsewhere, not necessarily going into their first choice.

An alternative golf course site at Frieze Farm has been proposed as part of the council's local plan.

Site owners Oxford University, Merton College and Exeter College came to an agreement with the golf club and offered them £4.3 million to leave the site.

Oxford University previously said the type of homes and who would be targeted to live there would be detailed as part of the consultation with neighbours and other stakeholders.

Cherwell District Council has been contacted for comment.