Council looks to 'maintain access' to golf course

A council considering the future of a popular golf course says it is looking at "maintaining access to golf" at the site.

A petition was launched calling for Solent Meads in Southbourne to be kept open after Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) said it was considering using the land to generate biodiversity credits to sell to developers.

But, ahead of a cabinet meeting, BCP's environment councillor said the authority was looking at "improving nature" while "maintaining access to golf and considering other leisure use too".

The cabinet is due to discuss the proposals on 17 December.

Councillors are considering how to "unlock investment in biodiversity" at three council-owned sites - Erlin Farm, Millhams Mead and Solent Meads.

BCP wants to generate Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) units which are then sold to developers to offset the impact of developments.

It said, since the government BNG scheme was introduced in February 2024, a lack of suitable sites had meant about £180,000 from developers had been spent on schemes outside the conurbation instead of locally.

At next week's meeting, it said councillors were "expected to recommend improving nature at Solent Meads as part of the re-tendering of golf facilities at the existing course".

Environment councillor Andy Hadley said: "The end of the existing golf lease means, legally, we have to re-tender the offering and it provides a perfect opportunity to look at how improving nature can be a part of that whilst maintaining access to golf and considering other leisure use too."

BCP said no housing was planned on any of the sites.