Petitions to save golf course debated by council

Blaby District Council currently runs the nine-hole site to the east of Enderby

Two petitions that seek to stop plans to close a Leicestershire golf course and develop houses on the site have been discussed at a council meeting.

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

The petitions - both signed by more than 2,000 people - were debated at a meeting on Tuesday that heard from public speakers, including the vice chairman of Enderby Parish Council and the course manager.

One petition calls for the course to remain open, and the other is against the proposed inclusion of the land in the council's new local plan - which earmarks land for future development.

Impact

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

Most of the proposed development site is owned by Santander UK and the bank said it had consolidated buildings on its Carlton Park office complex, leaving surplus land for potential housing.

Wayne Hetherington, vice chairman of Enderby Parish Council, told the meeting that the retention of open space is a priority for the council.

"The impact of this proposed vision on mental health is of grave concern," Mr Hetherington added.

"Development of this site would erode the settlement boundary [between Narborough and Enderby]."

The land is part of the council's local plan

Chris D'Araujo, manager of the golf course, said many members had told him they feared that they would "have no other option but to stop playing golf" if it closed.

He described the space as an "accessible and affordable entry-level" golf course, that attracts more than 25,000 visitors a year.

Hannah Gill, a ward councillor for Enderby, said: "These spaces are not just patches of green, but they are vital lifelines for our community, and over 5,000 residents have voiced their objections to the proposed inclusion of these in the local plan, far outweighing the limited support for development."

Ms Gill added that the golf course "must remain in public hands".

The petitions will now be referred to the relevant council departments for a written response.

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