It follows a long-running and often bitter saga over the Eden co-founder’s latest project – and will now grow fruit and veg instead
Sir Tim Smit, co-founder of Eden Project, owns Gillyflower Golf Club in Lostwithiel and wanted with his son to build 19 lodges on site – a planning application which has caused huge controversy in the town (Image: Paul Williams)
A golf club owned by Eden Project’s co-founder Sir Tim Smit has quietly closed for good after its expansion plans were turned down by Cornwall Council.
Gillyflower Golf on the edge of Lostwithiel shut down at the beginning of March – with nothing to show it except its Google listing – and will not reopen because it is no longer economically viable.
The decision comes after a protracted and highly controversial bid by Sir Tim and his son Alex to build holiday accommodation and a 96-space car park failed. It will mean half the staff at the golf club will lose their job.
The contentious planning application to build 19 domed aparthotel units – referred to as drums – a clubhouse, the car park, reception and classroom at Gillyflower golf course was refused by a the local authority planning committee in March 2024.
The Smits appealed the decision and, following a site visit and hearing in September last year, planning inspector Andrew Dawe has now dismissed their appeal.
A spokesperson for Gillyflower Golf said the decision to close the golf club for good this month was taken in January.
Supporters of the Gillyflower golf course development gather outside New County Hall / Lys Kernow in Truro last year (Image: Greg Martin / Cornwall Live)
They said: “In January we took the decision to permanently close Gillyflower Golf at the beginning of March. This followed the Planning Inspectorate rejection of our appeal for the development and enhancement of the Gillyflower Farm and Golf site.
“We are extremely disappointed that it has come to this but the golf club is not economically viable in its current state. The Gillyflower team will now focus solely on growing rare and traditional varieties of fruit and vegetables in the Gillyflower orchard and potager and we will take some time to consider the next steps for the golf course.
“We anticipate having to reduce team numbers by approximately 1.5 full time equivalent roles, which equates to half the existing golf team.”
The spokesperson added: “We maintain that the rejected proposal for the Gillyflower Farm and Golf site would have represented a significant environmental, educational and economic uplift for the area while remaining sensitive to the unique character and heritage of its surroundings.
“This proposal would have bolstered the biodiversity of the area, safeguarded rare, heritage fruit varieties, provided a new educational resource and enhanced the provision of outdoor sport and recreation.
“We feel strongly that innovative developments like this are needed to help Cornwall face its considerable economic challenges, both in the tourism sector and beyond.”
An original application, which included holiday lodges, a café and agronomy education centre, was refused in 2023 after a huge backlash from locals, who submitted 300 objections and organised demonstrations.
More than 500 comments were left on Cornwall Council’s planning portal concerning the latest application, which were more or less evenly split between those in favour and those against.
Some of the comments were so contentious the council’s legal department decided to take them all down from its website.
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