Housing plan forces golf club to close

A golf club will close in the spring because of fears over the future of its village site.

North Luffenham Golf Club has fallen victim to redevelopment plans for the St George’s Barracks site.

The club’s land is leased from the Ministry of Defence and officials were led to believe the course wouldn’t be affected when the army leaves the site in 2021.

The land could be used to create a garden village of more than 3,000 homes, but when the development plans were revealed in May the golf club wasn’t included.

The uncertainty over the future of the site combined with dwindling membership numbers forced the club to review its options, but they failed to come up with an option that is financially viable.

Club president Malcolm Hird said: “This has been devastating news for many of the members who have been with the club for many years, some from the very beginning.

“It would be difficult to replicate the spirit we have here at any other club.”

North Luffenham Golf Club opened in 1976 when the site was occupied by the RAF. It is made up of nine fairways featuring 12 greens and 18 tees.

Membership grew to 250 at its peak but has fallen to 75.

Club secretary Helen Wood said many of the current members are elderly people who may not be able to play at other courses in the area.

She said: “For some of our members this is the only time they get out. Some have said they won’t go anywhere else so they won’t get the exercise and company that they need.

“They are all very sad that it has come to this.”

The club will close on March 31 leaving its three employees out of work.

Club captain Andrew Boyce said: “The decision was taken with a great deal of regret and sadness.”

The MoD’s development plans have also attracted opposition from the wider community.

The MOD is now working in partnership with Rutland County Council to draw up the best plans for the site.