Petition triggers debate on future of golf course

The lease ends in November 2026, and BCP Council plans to explore new options for the golf course

A petition urging a local authority not to close a golf course has triggered a council debate after gaining more than 6,000 signatures.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council confirmed the lease at Solent Meads, which has been used as a golf course for 64 years, was due to expire in November 2026 .

It said this provided a "natural opportunity" to consider how the land could be used in the future and that it was "proactively working on alternative options for members of the golf club".

But Golf For All, which has run the site via a lease since 2003, said 20,000 golfers used the site every year and it feared councillors "don't realise how much it means to a lot of people" .

Roddy Watkins, co-director of the golf course, said: "It's also a place for people to meet their mates... it's their daily coffee and meet-up. It would be a huge loss."

Mr Watkins said the course, which has 18 par three holes, was mostly used by beginners and that many golfers in the area started by playing there.

A public footpath runs straight through the site and Mr Watkins said it "couldn't be a greener green space".

Comments on the petition also shared memories of playing at the course over the decades and praised its accessibility, affordability and "welcoming atmosphere" to people of all abilities.

Councillor Richard Herrett said he wanted to work with residents to "create a new vision" for Solent Meads

Liberal Democrat Richard Herrett, BCP's portfolio holder for destination, leisure and commercial operations, said: "There are a number of popular golf courses within the conurbation with good capacity, and the team are proactively working on alternative options for members of the golf club."

He said the council knew "how much open spaces matter to communities" and it would be "engaging with residents directly to create a new vision for what can be achieved at Solent Meads and understand how they want to see it used going forwards".

"This will allow us to ensure more people have access to the stunning natural surroundings and all the benefits of an open, inclusive green space," he said.

"Open spaces play a vital role in the health and wellbeing to our residents, and we need to balance historic use with making them accessible to communities."

Petitions with 2,000 or more signatures are referred for debate at a meeting of full council where members will be asked to consider it and to determine the next steps.

The golf course is one of three areas along with Erlin Farm and nature reserve Millhams Mead earmarked for improvements aimed at boosting nature and community use.

The council said there were no plans for housing or any other form of mass development at the sites.

Councillors are set to discuss the proposals at the next cabinet meeting on 26 November, and any future plans will follow normal planning and approval processes.