MEMBERS of Basildon Golf Club fear their beloved course will become more like a landfill site if a private firm takes over.

Developer, Jack Barker Ltd, is waiting to learn if Basildon Council will grant planning permission for a £1million revamp of the course, in Clayhill Lane, which will include a new driving range and training academy.

If approved, the company is expected to sign a 99-year lease to take over management from Basildon Council.

The company's plans include bringing in 140,000 tonnes of soil and rubble from construction sites, to reshape the contours of the course.

Veteran club member Charlie Payne, 78, of High Road, Langdon Hills, fears this could lead to traffic chaos and make the course look like a dump.

He said: "I went with some other members to Risebridge Golf Course, near Romford.

"Jack Barker took over that about two years ago and the state of it was unbelievable. There were still lorries bringing in huge bits of rubble."

However, Ron Maden, boss of Jack Barker Ltd, refuted the criticism aimed at Risebridge Golf Club.

He said work at Risebridge had lasted about a year so far, and would be finished in about six to eight months.

Mr Madden added: "We can work within a year, but if the local authority restricts the amount of lorry movements, and when they can operate, it could take three years. For Basildon, this has yet to be finalised."