A COUNCILLOR has welcomed a “win for residents” after it was confirmed that Solent Meads Golf Course will not be included in proposals to revitalise parts of the BCP area into green spaces.
In November, BCP council announced that three sites had been earmarked for green spaces that would help improve access to nature. The proposal is also based on a government scheme which enables developers to buy Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Units, areas of land they pay to put back to its natural state, to compensate for land that they are building on.
The three sites are Erlin Farm, Millhams Mead, and Solent Meads which raised concerns from residents, golfers, and staff, who feared the Solent Meads Golf Course could be closed.
A petition to save the course gained more than 8,000 signatures and ward councillors were supported by Heingsbury Head Residents association to gain answers on the future of the golf course.
The lease at Solent Meads Golf Course does expire next year and legally has to be tendered.
East Southbourne and Tuckton Councillor Bernadette Nanovo said “this is wonderful news, I’ve met with leaseholders and staff and understood why they were worried. At the same time, I was being told that Biodiversity Net Gain rewilding was just one option and that golf was still on the table.
“I’ve been pushing hard for clarity from the Cabinet Member for Environment and the Council Leader to make sure Cabinet knew what residents wanted.”
“Solent Meads is part of our community, and people want it to stay.”
“I’ve been liaising with council officers and it’s clear that the lease for the current golf course operator ends next year. I understand that it cannot simply be renewed but would need to go to tender.”
“Other operators will be able to bid to run the Golf and café and may even improve the overall facilities. That can only mean that the provision for residents will be even better than before.”
BCP Council’s Cabinet will discuss the plans on December 17 with a recommendation to approve the plans to improve the areas in three council owned sites at Erlin Farm, Millhams Mead and Solent Meads outside of the golf course area.
