We’ll protect future of our golf course (From Echo)

We’ll protect future of our golf course

8:00am Tuesday 19th April 2011 in News By Antonia Jones

Angry – members of the golf club after they were told the course had been shut

COUNCILLORS have launched a bid to protect Basildon Golf Course from developers and to find new owners to secure its future.

Basildon Council, which had leased the course to Jack Barker, ordered the company to surrender its lease earlier this month after it failed to meet the terms of the agreement with the council.

At a council meeting held on Thursday, councillors grilled leader Tony Ball.

Lynda Gordon, leader of the opposition Labour group, wanted reassurances the golf course would not be sold off.

She said: “I want to ensure the council finds an appropriate company to run the golf course.

“We, as members of the Labour group, also want to believe that the council has no intention to sell the land to developers who want to build homes on it.”

Councillor Tony Ball gave assurances the golf course is situated on green belt land and so cannot be sold to build homes on.

Mr Ball was also questioned about who might take over the golf course and about any outstanding loans the course might have.

Phil Jenkins, Lib Dem councillor for Nethermayne Ward, said: “The council needs to ensure the company which takes over is suitable. This needs to be looked into.

“Residents are also concerned about the possibility of there being outstanding loans to Basildon Golf Centre or Jack Barker, and how will they be repaid.”

Mr Ball said he was unable to comment further about detailed plans for the golf course, the future of which is currently being reviewed.

More than two weeks ago representatives of Basildon Golf Centre, the company set up by Jack Barker to run the course, turned up and sacked about 12 employees and removed equipment from the premises.

It follows a series of controversies involving the running of the course since 2007.

Planning permission was given for a £1million revamp using building rubble to form contours for the course, but legal action was taken by campaign group the Friends of Basildon Golf Course.

Campaigners won the challenge, on the grounds the council never made the company carry out environmental impact studies.

It is not known when the course will reopen.