Golf course closed by city council over unpaid rent debt
THE future of a golf course is in doubt after the firm running it was kicked off the site because of unpaid rent.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has reclaimed Goldenhill Golf Course from Jack Barker's Golf Company, which has also been accused of fly-tipping on the course.
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The company has previously said lorries full of inert waste have been visiting the site since June 2008 to extend the driving range at the Mobberley Road venue, after planning permission was granted by the city council.
However, the city council now says there was no evidence that the waste was being used to improve the course.
The golf course has been closed down, due to the rent arrears and the council says a decision has yet to be taken over its future.
A council spokesman said: "The company has forfeited the lease of the golf course for non-payment of rent and the council has taken back possession of the site.
"The leaseholder was also served with a temporary 'stop' notice preventing anyone from depositing waste material on the land. This has stopped any waste being left on the site since it reverted back to the control of the city council."
Residents living near to the course say they have suffered for years with their homes and cars being covered in mud and dust by lorries transporting waste.
Sandyford and Goldenhill Residents' Association had taken up concerns over the golf course. The group has worked with the Friends of Basildon Golf Course, which won a legal fight to stop Jack Barker using 140,000 tonnes of spoil to reshape the course.
Tom Simpson, secretary of the residents' association, said: "Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
"The golf course is a mess. The council has got to save millions, so how are they going to be able to afford to put it right?
"They should never have been allowed to dump waste at the site.
"There were often 60 wagons a day going to the golf course in all weathers. In the winter all the sludge off the roads was thrown on to people's houses. In the summer it was all the dust."
Derek Dutton, who lives on Kidsgrove Bank, said: "It is a lovely course to look at, but the ground is very wet. People are concerned whether it will remain as a golf course or if it will get turned into a housing estate."
The city council has revealed details of £35 million in cuts it needs to make in its budget for next year. The proposals include closing Parkhall Golf Course.
Nobody from Jack Barker's Golf Company, which also leases Keele Golf Centre from Newcastle Borough Council, was available to comment. The borough council said its contract was unaffected.
6 Comments
by topcat127
Tuesday, April 10 2012, 2:10PM
“I worked on this golf course for jack barker, what an absolute joke for somebody running a golf course he was bankrupt when i worked for him, and when i worked there the back nine was closed and overgrown, i started cutting down the grass in 2007/2008 and it was my job under instruction of the head greens keeper at the time (who might aswell have been myself) but anyway i do remember reopening four of the back nine, if i had descent men working under me and the correct machinery i reckon i could have had the whole front nine and back nine open within 6 to 8 months. the driving range was too small 300 yards is not enough when the 7th green is behing the range and most people can hit a golf ball 350 to 420 yards possibly more, so then they put up them or rather i put up them building site wire fences. I would love to take on the lease for goldenhill and return it to its former glory with a proper club house and members reinstated. giving i have worked there allready and i'm a qualified greens keeper, whocan help me to take its lease on should the council grant permuission for it to remain as a golf course.”
by Reliantlad
Monday, January 30 2012, 2:29PM
“I would love to take over the golf course and turn back into a good attraction for every golfer in the area. The golf course itself does not need much work to get it back up and running but the driving range would need some TLC to get that back in shape for custom.
Robin Burton”
by Anon, Stoke
Saturday, February 19 2011, 7:22AM
“Great news that means no more hell drivers in their Tipper trucks racing down Reg Mitch way on to the A500, there are drivers and then there tipper drivers a breed apart, the Council should never have let this happen in the first place.”
by M.Davies, Blythe Bridge
Friday, February 18 2011, 12:32PM
“Nicci, You are joking aren't you? A Mosque! They kept that one quiet.”
by nicola, stoke on trent
Friday, February 18 2011, 12:01PM
“yes they are, and have a guess wot it is, A Mosque, the only complaint they had was that there is a catholic school further down the road”
by marion, Staffordshire
Friday, February 18 2011, 10:45AM
“Oh right, golf course, kick em off, any excuse, spare ground...hmmm thinking of building something on it are we?”