Royal Winchester Golf Membership has recognized a number of areas of land inside its property that would doubtlessly be developed in the long run, prompting blended reactions amongst members of the historic Hampshire membership.
Land put ahead in council planning course of
The membership has submitted three small parcels of land to Winchester Metropolis Council as a part of its newest Name for Websites session, a course of used to tell future planning selections underneath the council’s rising Native Plan.
Two of the plots are understood to be near the sought-after Chilbolton Avenue space. The Name for Websites doesn’t signify a planning software, however as an alternative permits landowners to flag areas that might be appropriate for future makes use of comparable to housing or group services.
Membership stresses no dedication to promote or develop
In an e-mail obtained by the Hampshire Chronicle, Royal Winchester Golf Membership mentioned it was not committing to promoting or growing any land.
“The Membership has recognized three small parcels of land inside our total property that would doubtlessly have long-term growth potential,” the e-mail mentioned.“By submitting these areas by the Name for Websites course of, we aren’t committing to promote or develop any land, however merely guaranteeing that the Membership’s pursuits are represented within the Council’s future planning concerns.”
The membership added that the submission was supposed to “shield and improve the long-term worth of the Membership’s land” and to maintain open the choice of a future land sale that would assist fund enhancements and investments.
Normal supervisor: discussions are early and exploratory
Royal Winchester common supervisor Nicholas McArthur mentioned the membership was performing responsibly to safe its long-term future.
“Royal Winchester Golf Membership is a non-public members’ membership, and like many golf equipment, we routinely think about a variety of choices to assist guarantee long-term sustainability,” he mentioned.
“This consists of, at a really excessive degree, exploring potential alternatives and understanding the planning panorama, however no selections have been made, nor are any commitments in place.”
Mr McArthur harassed that any land sale or growth would require full session with members and a proper vote, including: “We’re not at the moment at that stage.”
He additionally mentioned there was nothing substantive to touch upon at current and that it will be untimely to debate outcomes whereas issues stay at an early stage.
Council chief: most websites are rejected
Winchester Metropolis Council chief and St Paul ward councillor Martin Tod mentioned the submission shouldn’t be confused with a planning software.
“This isn’t the identical because the state of affairs in Lanham Lane,” he mentioned. “That was a planning software. These proposals are a response to the council’s Name for Websites, which is a a lot earlier step within the planning course of.”
Cllr Tod defined that the council usually receives much more websites than are wanted, with the bulk rejected because of entry, environmental or infrastructure points.
“It’s a great distance between this sort of submission and any sort of planning software,” he added.
Member considerations over historical past and biodiversity
Regardless of the reassurances, some members have expressed concern in regards to the path the membership could also be taking.
One long-standing member, who requested to not be named, mentioned they had been “shocked and saddened” by the concept that components of the course might be bought off.
“I joined due to its lengthy historical past,” the member mentioned. “The tone of latest emails suggests this will likely solely be the start.”
The member additionally raised considerations about wildlife and biodiversity, noting that areas of tough have traditionally been left uncut to help habitats for animals residing on the location.
Certainly one of Hampshire’s oldest golf equipment
Based in 1888, Royal Winchester Golf Membership moved to its present Teg Down location in 1901 and has held royal standing since 1913.
Whereas no growth proposals are at the moment deliberate, the identification of land for attainable future use highlights the monetary and strategic pressures dealing with many conventional members’ golf equipment as they appear to safe long-term sustainability.
