Cheshunt road would build over golf course where ashes are buried

A new road is to be built over a hole at a golf course where it is claimed a member's ashes are buried.

Plans have been approved for 1,250 new homes at Brookfield Garden Village in Cheshunt in Hertfordshire.

The scheme, which includes the reconfiguration of Cheshunt Park Golf Course and removal of a lake, have been described as "environmental vandalism".

A spokesperson for Broxbourne Borough Council said there would be "improved landscaping and biodiversity".

The council owns the course and it is run by its Be.Broxbourne leisure management firm.

Plans for the new link road to connect the A10 Turnford Interchange with Halfhide Lane were approved in June.

The housing development plans include the Brookfield Garden Village and Brookfield Riverside

As part of the scheme, developers said they needed to tear up Hole 2 of the 18-hole course, which is a par four with a lake, where the ashes of one of the original club members are buried.

Nick Baker, a keen golfer who lives nearby, warned that players stood to lose a "signature" hole and the club could "fail" as a golf course as a result.

"Apart from one of the original member's of the golf club's ashes being buried in that lake, which is very sentimental, it's a signature hole because you actually have to carry the ball over the lake," he said.

"I speak to club members and it's the favourite hole, without a shadow of a doubt."

'Enhanced playability'

Another objector, Eileen Lockwood, feared disruption to wildlife and the surrounding ecology.

"No-one is in favour of environmental vandalism," she said.

James Podesta, speaking on behalf of the applicant, which is the council, said: "This application commits to maintaining an 18-hole golf course in perpetuity, including through the construction period.

"The course will be improved and enhanced in respect of the playability"

• Rose and Player to help proposed Ryder Cup course

• Hotel's Ryder Cup bid golf course approved

• Luton hotel in bid to host the Ryder Cup

The plan also includes a new practice area and buggy storage near the existing clubhouse.

New ponds were also proposed at the existing third, fifth and eighth holes, with additional ponds created for great crested newts.

A spokesperson for Broxbourne Borough Council said: "The council is not formally aware of ashes having been spread in Cheshunt Park Golf Course."