Allestree Park Golf Course to Close

By: Andrew Picken | Fri 20 Nov 2020

Article by Golfshake Ambassador Andy Picken

On 16th November 2020, the Derby City Council announced formally that Allestree Park Golf Course will close by the end of the year and be returned to park land, after no viable business proposals were put forward to take over its running. Meanwhile the sale of the historic Allestree Hall is expected to be completed in the New Year.

The decision to sell off the Grade II* listed hall to ensure it could be brought back into use prompted the need to make a decision about the future of the golf course, which currently uses some of the buildings within the hall and stable block.

Earlier this year, Derby City Council invited expressions of interest (EOI) from third party organisations into taking over the running of the 18-hole course and providing new facilities for players. At the same time, a consultation exercise was carried out with stakeholders regarding the potential closure of the golf course.

Although around three quarters of consultees believed that it was important to the local area that Allestree continued to have a golf course, following due consideration of the outcomes of both the consultation and EOI exercises, it was resolved that no viable business proposals to operate the golf course were submitted and that golf provision at Allestree Park would cease on 31 December.

It is anticipated that the disposal of Allestree Hall will be completed in the New Year, paving the way for the building to be transformed into a wedding and event venue. Allestree Park will continue to be a public park, and work will begin in the New Year to decommission the course and incorporate it into the existing parkland.

Background

The golf course is owned and managed by the local council as a municipal facility. Allestree Park Golf Club currently rent a room within the grade two listed building for use as a clubhouse and exterior buildings are used for the secure storage of the council’s maintenance equipment.

Allestree Park Golf Club formed in 1948 and has used Allestree Park Golf Course as its base since that time.

Hope continued for the club when a public consultation was arranged, but despite over 75% of the respondents supporting the continued use of the golf course, DCC have announced that they intend to let the course return to a wild state.

Stuart Burton, (Committee Member) said: “The Committee of Allestree Park Golf Club have decided that in regard of the low numbers of club members, the committee have determined with a heavy heart that the club itself will be dissolved at the final AGM to be held in March 2021 (date & venue TBD)."

There are plans to setup an Allestree Park Golf Club Society in order that they maintain some of the history of the Club and maintain some of the existing links with members and other clubs forged over the years.