Royal Winchester Golf Club has identified several areas of land within its estate that could potentially be developed in the long term, prompting mixed reactions among members of the historic Hampshire club.<\/p>\n
The club has submitted three small parcels of land to Winchester City Council as part of its latest Call for Sites<\/strong> consultation, a process used to inform future planning decisions under the council\u2019s emerging Local Plan.<\/p>\n Two of the plots are understood to be close to the sought-after Chilbolton Avenue area. The Call for Sites does not represent a planning application, but instead allows landowners to flag areas that could be suitable for future uses such as housing or community facilities.<\/p>\n In an email obtained by the Hampshire Chronicle<\/em>, Royal Winchester Golf Club said it was not committing to selling or developing any land.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Club has identified three small parcels of land within our overall estate that could potentially have long-term development potential,\u201d the email said. The club added that the submission was intended to \u201cprotect and enhance the long-term value of the Club\u2019s land\u201d and to keep open the option of a future land sale that could help fund improvements and investments.<\/p>\n Royal Winchester general manager Nicholas McArthur said the club was acting responsibly to secure its long-term future.<\/p>\n \u201cRoyal Winchester Golf Club is a private members\u2019 club, and like many clubs, we routinely consider a range of options to help ensure long-term sustainability,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis includes, at a very high level, exploring potential opportunities and understanding the planning landscape, but no decisions have been made, nor are any commitments in place.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr McArthur stressed that any land sale or development would require full consultation with members and a formal vote, adding: \u201cWe are not currently at that stage.\u201d<\/p>\n He also said there was nothing substantive to comment on at present and that it would be premature to discuss outcomes while matters remain at an early stage.<\/p>\n Winchester City Council leader and St Paul ward councillor Martin Tod said the submission should not be confused with a planning application.<\/p>\n \u201cThis isn\u2019t the same as the situation in Lanham Lane,\u201d he said. \u201cThat was a planning application. These proposals are a response to the council\u2019s Call for Sites, which is a much earlier step in the planning process.\u201d<\/p>\n Cllr Tod explained that the council typically receives far more sites than are needed, with the majority rejected due to access, environmental or infrastructure issues.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a long way between this kind of submission and any kind of planning application,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Despite the reassurances, some members have expressed concern about the direction the club may be taking.<\/p>\n One long-standing member, who asked not to be named, said they were \u201cshocked and saddened\u201d by the idea that parts of the course could be sold off.<\/p>\n \u201cI joined because of its long history,\u201d the member said. \u201cThe tone of recent emails suggests this may only be the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n The member also raised concerns about wildlife and biodiversity, noting that areas of rough have historically been left uncut to support habitats for animals living on the site.<\/p>\n Founded in 1888, Royal Winchester Golf Club moved to its current Teg Down location in 1901 and has held royal status since 1913.<\/p>\n While no development proposals are currently planned, the identification of land for possible future use highlights the financial and strategic pressures facing many traditional members\u2019 clubs as they look to secure long-term sustainability.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Royal Winchester Golf Club has identified several areas of land within its estate that could potentially be developed in the long term, prompting mixed reactions among members of the historic Hampshire club. Land put forward in council planning process The club has submitted three small parcels of land to Winchester City Council as part of its latest Call for Sites consultation, a process used to inform future planning decisions under the council\u2019s emerging Local Plan. Two of the plots are […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":31532,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[445,9],"tags":[3376,3374,3375],"class_list":["post-31531","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features","category-golf-news","tag-golf-club-planning","tag-royal-winchester-golf-club","tag-royal-winchester-planning"],"yoast_head":"\nClub stresses no commitment to sell or develop<\/h3>\n
\u201cBy submitting these areas through the Call for Sites process, we are not committing to sell or develop any land, but simply ensuring that the Club\u2019s interests are represented in the Council\u2019s future planning considerations.\u201d<\/p>\nGeneral manager: discussions are early and exploratory<\/h3>\n
Council leader: most sites are rejected<\/h3>\n
Member concerns over history and biodiversity<\/h3>\n
One of Hampshire\u2019s oldest clubs<\/h3>\n