As previously reported, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) will decide whether its plans to relocate the mini-golf and driving facilities from their current location at Basingstoke Golf Centre, to unused land at the Leisure Park during a meeting on January 6.
It came after more than 7,000 signed a petition against original plans to move the facilities, along with a six-hole pitch and putt golf course, to Down Grange after an agreement-in-principle was made between BDBC and Great Wolf to build a new water park and 500-bedroom resort hotel on the site of the golf centre.
Despite the council’s new plans to create the Leisure Park adventure golf facility, and motion in the January 6 meeting to explore alternative locations, Down Grange has not been ruled out of becoming the site of the new pitch and putt, and campaigners are calling on the council to eliminate it as an option.
Leigh Henderson (left) with campaigners fighting to save Down Grange (Image: Newsquest)
Leigh Henderson, chair of Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Cub (BMHAC) and member of the Down Grange Working Group, said: “It has been a year since the council cabinet selected Down Grange Park as a potential site for relocating golf facilities displaced by the proposed Great Wolf Resort. The Council is now set to decide on the future of these facilities on January 6, with Down Grange potentially still under consideration despite significant public opposition.
“The campaign against using Down Grange has united local sports clubs and many other leisure users and community groups who value the park as a vital hub for wellbeing and exercise.
“The strength of feeling is evidenced by the over 7000 signatures on the campaign petition. Public feedback, as reflected in the Council’s own survey, overwhelmingly opposes the introduction of a pitch and putt course at Down Grange. Instead, there is greater support for adventure golf and driving pods at the Leisure Park, particularly among current golf centre users.”
He argued that the council’s proposals “have not accounted for the new ’Five Under’ golf simulator facility at Stroudley Road, which reflects a broader trend of esports and virtual activities encouraging participation in traditional sports,” adding that “other models of introducing young people to golf using new technology could be explored to ensure that the current arrangements are replaced by an enhanced offer.”
He added: “Another example is the Winchester Golfing Academy. The omission of such developments suggests a missed opportunity to modernise rather than simply replicate existing facilities at a reduced scale.
“Down Grange Park is a cherished community asset, and recognised in the Gazette’s own A-Z of Basingstoke, serving thousands of leisure users annually and hosting over 400 athletes each week in summer, including a vibrant group of over-60s who recently ran a collective 263 miles in a single session. It also has been the home of the lively Basingstoke Disc Golf Club for 13 years.
“The park is also home to the only cross-country course available to Basingstoke and Mid Hants AC and local schools, making it one of Hampshire’s premier cross-country venues.”
Mr Henderson added that he believes that safety and environmental concerns remain “unresolved.”
He said: “While Councillor Morrow stated at a Council meeting that no fencing would be needed to protect the public, the Council’s own Feasibility Study warned of serious risks from ball escape without substantial mitigation, such as netting—a point not addressed for the pitch and putt proposal. Additionally, the recommended use of artificial grass greens, not clearly communicated during consultations, threatens to diminish the park’s visual appeal.
“Until Down Grange is formally removed from consideration, the Down Grange community will continue to fight for the retention of this cherished facility in its current form.”
A spokesperson for Basingstoke and Deane borough Council said: “At a meeting tomorrow evening (Tuesday 6 January), the council’s Cabinet is due to decide on how to move forward with plans to reprovide the driving range pod and 18-hole family adventure golf course at Basingstoke Leisure Park.
“Councillors and the project team have continued to listen to views from the local community and golf users on how golf facilities could be re-provided in the borough.
“This meeting will see the Cabinet discuss proposals for the leisure park and the next steps for investigating the best location for a new pitch and putt course for the future.”