Surrey golf course to have more than 200 homes built in 'disaster for the local community'
The council has approved developers to build more than 200 homes on a golf course in Surrey despite many objections.
A Surrey golf course has had more than 200 homes approved by the council to be built, despite many objections from local residents.
Hersham Golf Club’s 18-hole course is set to be transformed into 57 houses and 164 apartments with 246 parking spaces.
The planning committee for Elmbridge Borough Council approved development plans for the 43-hectare (106.3 acre) site.
Loss of countryside views and invasion of privacy have been the reason for many of the concerns and objections from locals.
A major issue around the development is whether the golf club was previously developed grey belt land or not.
John O'Reilly, Conservative Hersham councillor for Surrey County Council, said: "It is probably the first major application where the green belt will be so compromised."
When the plans were announced in April 2024, a nearby resident claimed: “It would be a disaster for the local community.
"It is a really nice golf course, it suits all age groups and a site like this should never, ever be built upon."
One anonymous golf club member said: "It's a total disaster and will be a huge disappointment for all club members here who are trying to locate a course as competitive a yearly membership as Hersham provides and has continued to provide for years.
"It's also only one of a couple of golf courses within a 25-mile radius that competes with the club fees."
The member adds: "There's also a mini golf here, perfect for families with young children, so there's further disappointment on that front."
The developers, Claudel Venture Holdings Ltd had originally proposed plans for 636 homes to be built but reduced it following a public consultation.
News of Hersham Golf Club being redeveloped follows a popular golf course in Glasgow that was closed over funding issues last week.
Related:
LIV Golf and US Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau had called for Dalmuir Golf Course to be kept open but West Dunbartonshire Council said it was unable to afford to subside the course after a steady decline in membership.
The council have stated they will explore opportunities to have the Glaswegian course passed into the hands of the community via an asset transfer.
However, for the golfers of Hersham Golf Club, it appears nothing can be done to save it.
