A councillor has said news that a golf course will not be included in plans to create more natural green spaces is a “win for residents”.<\/p>\n
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Pool (BCP) Council announced three sites – Erlin Farm, Millhams Mead and Solent Meads – had been earmarked to help improve access to nature.<\/p>\n
There were fears Solent Meads Golf Course could be closed, with a petition to save it gaining more than 8,000 signatures<\/a>.<\/p>\n East Southbourne and Tuckton councillor Bernadette Nanovo said it was “part of our community, and people want it to stay”.<\/p>\n Legally developments must achieve a biodiversity net gain (BNG) by leaving more or better quality natural habitats than before.<\/p>\n The council’s proposal was based on a government scheme where developers can buy areas of land to put back to their natural state, compensating for land they are building on.<\/p>\n Ms Nanovo said: “This is wonderful news, I’ve met with leaseholders and staff and understood why they were worried.<\/p>\n “I was being told that biodiversity net gain rewilding was just one option and that golf was still on the table.”<\/p>\n She added that the lease for the current golf course operator ends next year and would need to go to tender.<\/p>\n BCP Council’s cabinet will discuss the plans, which are recommended for approval, on 17 December.<\/p>\n You can follow BBC Dorset<\/a> on Facebook<\/a>, X (Twitter)<\/a>, or Instagram<\/a>. <\/p>\n More on this storyRelated Links