Proposals that could see the golf course at Beacon Park axed will not open the door for developers to build on the land, the leader of Lichfield District Council has vowed.
The local authority has begun a consultation over the future of the course, which is also home to a foot and disc golf layout.
It comes after figures revealed that the facilities are only used around 8,000 times a year, equivalent to around 20 players a day
The council is seeking views on the land, with options such as rewilding, community gardens and orchards among the ideas open for discussion.
Cllr Doug Pullen, leader of Lichfield District Council, said any closure of the golf course would not see the land lost to the public in future.
“We will absolutely not be letting anything get built on the land where the golf course is in Beacon Park.
“This is a positive opportunity to create community-led uses for what is a large portion of the park.”
Cllr Doug Pullen, Lichfield District Council
The local authority said the data on usage was gathered from a wide time period before and during the Covid pandemic.
Cllr Pullen added that the time was right to have a conversation about whether the golf course was the right use for the land going forward.
“How do we square the circle on 20 people a day using a third of Beacon Park?
“To put it another way, it’s the equivalent of the council tax from 500 homes being used just to subsidise golf.
“We are considering if we can make the park more accessible to more people. But no decisions have been made – we are just wanting people to engage in the discussion on it.”
Cllr Doug Pullen, Lichfield District Council
The survey runs online until 21st February.
How do we sneak through the disposal of yet more leisure facilities without anyone noticing ?
The fact that Doug Pulled has to even say this shows where we stand as far as public trust and their expectations of the council goes. All people see are new houses and retirement complexes being thrown up left right and centre whilst the Friarsgate land remains empty and the city centre stagnates. Then there’s the fudging of the new leisure centre promise. People have had enough of words, Doug, they want action.
Another friary gym. No new homes all promises no action
Completely agree with the above comments. The fact that Cllr Doug Pullen even needs to say that they’re not building on acres of Beacon Park speaks volumes.
I am very sorry Cllr Pullen. I have no trust in you.
“We will absolutely not be letting anything get built on the land where the golf course is in Beacon Park.” Seems very specific to me. It appears to allow development on other parts of Beacon Park.
Cemetery? I mean we’re going to need acres of burial space given the demographics we’ve got.
We won’t build on the golf course, we will build on the rest of the park instead
They seem obsessed with filling open spaces ? What’s so wrong with having the golf course left intact ? Open spaces are wonderful specially with some nice trees. Was the park not gifted to the residents of Lichfield?….hands of LDC
Look at that photo it tells you my nobody uses it, greens aren’t looked after, leaves never shifted its gone down hill massively over the last few years.
I think LDC should concentrate on sorting friargate and sorting a leisure centre of some form. It’s been quite a few decades since I golfed on the ‘pitch and putt’ but why on earth not leave it as it is until something is actually sorted in Lichfield. It appears to me that LDC want to start and fail with as many projects as possible at any one time. I’ve certainly lost all faith in it at all.
I’ve filled in the survey expressing my preference for keeping the golf course (even though I’m not a great golfer). The figures given by the Council for the current usage of the golf course are unlikely to be representative, given the pandemic, which we are still in. It’s always looked busy when I’ve seen it. And the suggestion that the golf course is costing Council tax payers could be said of every patch of public green space in the District. That’s what parks have always been. They’re not profit-making enterprises, or does the Council plan to charge people for walking across it or having a picnic?
I would urge everyone to fill in the survey – the link’s at the end of the article above.
How many areas of Lichfield have been GIFTED to the PEOPLE of Lichfield, only to have been “used” for building on by the council, like the old Queen Vic hospital. ?Surely if it is gifted, then there is some sort of legal documentation to prove it, and that it is not owned by any one person or group, such as the council.
Every October, the bottom part of the golf course is flooded and unsuitable for golf until late Spring. I think we should let Nature have it’s way here and encourage the growth of a leisure pool for the use of anglers, swimmers or perhaps boaters. The remainder of the course could be modified to 9 holes.
Leave the course as is! It’s a beautiful space in the summer time. Invest in getting more use out it and start with other areas that were promised first!!!
The golf area is also used for disc and foot golf, which require less maintenance (no greens), Use the natural landscape better and don’t mind the flooding as much. The council just need to advertise them as they are both much more family and wider age range friendly than the actual golf – and drop the prices from the current ‘golf’ prices (a£8.50 / ch£6.40) that the course isn’t well maintained enough for, and encourage people to use it!
Perhaps the golf course needs more attention to make it more attractive. Obviously its not used as much in the winter but Summer should see numbers rise. Also the crazy golf also needs a big makeover.
In Saturdays Times newspaper an article about the rise and craze of frisbee golf a man from Arizona turned a professional ,and USA sponsors throwing big moneyinto this new rising sport ,the article goes on to state the lack of facilities in this country ,we’ll come to Lichfield but be quick before it’s dug up and left .such an oppertinity to promote ,as with the golf course ,and with all the retirement homes ,what a lovely way for them to have a go on the golf cours ,no where else for miles for everyone no matter what age to get out and try it .
John M. Leave the course alone, played there today, plenty of people walking with their dogs, no problem , just wants a tidy up. Best of both worlds for all , I,ve heard today 23/3 the course will close 1st May, thanks a lot councillor.