What would you do?

[freddielong]

Firstly just to stop me getting into any trouble I would like to point out that the below is a theoretical scenario and any comparison with any current real life proceedings or happnings is purely coincidental, any opinions that are expressed are mine and may or may not be shared by other people, there is no intention to change or turn anyone’s opinion towards any individual.

OK what would you guys do if there was a golf course that is very close to your heart and very highly thought of by lots of people. This course in your opinion may be, being run down by its current owner so there would be less opposition to them using the very prestigious peace of land for housing.

What if they said they were short of money (highly questionable) so they have had to put up green fees etc and lay off most of the green staff, when you know they had been offered a very large amount of cash to sell (five times the price paid by the current owner 8 years ago, in cash). The effect of removing the green staff has obviously had a detrimental effect on the condition of the course, this along with the increase in green fees has increased the level at which the course is haemorrhaging members, add to this the fact that the current owner has removed most of the club house and facilities from the members and you can see the club would be in trouble. The old club house is now virtually derelict with windows missing on one side so that it is open to the weather.

It is also only my opinion but the only way the current owner could get anymore than the value of the offer they received would be by building on the land.

What would you guys do?

 

[Losttheplot]

Are you asking as if it was my golf course to sell and it's either sell for housing or carry on as it is (going down hill)??

 

[Twire]

It looks like it's a done deal. You need to be looking for a new club Freddie.

 

[bigslice]

if it was me, put your name down on another course and wait and see what happens at yours. ps i think you have already made your mind up. so jump ship before it sinks.

 

[freddielong]

I was wondering if there was any thing that could be done from a listed building, point of histrorical interest perscpective, as the club house in this scenario is a listed building and the course was laid down over 100 yrs ago by possibly the most famous course designer of his day. Do you think there is any possibility of a compulsory purchase order or something similar.

I should have stated earlier but the owner will really struggle to get planning which is why I beleive he may turn the place into an eyesore

 

[bigslice]

are you trying to save the course. or prolong the agony. in scotland you can apply for planning permission to build on land even if you dont own it. you should make an appoitment with local authority planning department for an informal chat about planning ideas for your course. you may find that there is already plans submitted!!!
when the whisky mob at kilmarnock shut down they said it was unforeseen but 3 years earlier applied to replace with houses and a carpark!!
why dont you post a thread seeing if anyone on here works for a planning department i dont

 

[freddielong]

I think the most annoying thing about this is if the owner reduced the cost of membership and spent a small amount of money the club would thrive, but he doesnt want that to happen, the course in my opinion is one of the best I have ever played and I know there is a former European order of merit winner that rates the course very highly.

 

[marmar]

you can check for planning applications on line at the planning portal. Every authority has one and all you need is the address. I think I'll bow out of this conversation though as I work for developers currently negotiaing planning consent on a golf course

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I can see how you might save the clubhouse as a listed building but I guess it depends on wat grade listed it is. I'm not an expert but thought grade 2 & 3's could have some interior changes made providing the outer facade was intact.

Would you really want to try and save it and could you. If the guy is being thrown loads of cash to sell how do you reason with that especially as he doesn't seem to have a golfers soul. I think its a lost battle and a shame if a course with such obvious potential goes but I guess that's the way of the world these days.

 

[viscount17]

I don't think a building being listed can force an owner to maintain it; there is one not far from me now that has been allowed to decay. (have to say that I think a lot of buildings have been listed 'just because they were there' not because they were unique, in a condition to be saved or even worth saving.)

if you go on this site you may be able to find out if it is listed, or find a man who can.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.1373

 

[freddielong]

Thanks for the input everyone

 

[USER1999]

Even if the building is listed, they will just turn it into flats.

 

[sev112]

tough one ; they own the land, they can do what they want

is a shame

there is a similar situation nearby here where the local council appear to be doing the same with an excellent 9 hole pay and play course

i guess it's the nature of the recession

 

[Dodger]

Castletown will be a housing estate soon from what I hear Freddie.