Hopes to get old golf course back in action
A DEFUNCT golf course in Portishead could soon be open again to the public.
North Somerset Council, which owns the golf course at Nore Road, is asking for people interested in running the pay-and-play golf course to come forward. The authority is looking for someone to take on a 20-year lease for the nine-hole attraction.
Portishead councillor David Pasley, pictured, said: "The golf course has been unoccupied for a number of years. The fact it has been shut and empty has been causing concern for some time. It looks tatty and the grass is very overgrown. It is an area used extensively by the public for walking or exercising their dogs and it is a great place to take in the views of the Severn Estuary.
"I would very much like to see it reopened as a golf course as it would be an extra amenity for the residents and visitors to Portishead."
The public toilets at the Windmill pub car park are also likely to be included as part of the tender.
The toilets, which are in good condition, were closed in 2009 as part of cost cutting measures by North Somerset Council. If a new concessionaire is found for the golf course, it is likely the toilets will be re-opened as part of any contract.
Mr Pasley said: "The toilets have been closed for the last few years.
"They had been refurbished and are in a good condition and it is a shame they have been left locked up.
"It would be fantastic if they could be opened up again for the benefit of the people using the golf course and those people just out enjoying the area."
Mr Pasley said if no concessionaire came forward interested in running the site, consideration should be given to other uses – including a new wheels park for the town.
5 Comments
by PortisheadAH1
Monday, April 09 2012, 11:19PM
“Many, if not most, of the councillors on Portishead Town Council are the same as those in 2007/2008 when Kilkenny Fields was being discussed as a suitable site for a wheels park, later vetoed completely by NSC as mentioned previously. On the 3rd January 2008, the then clerk to the council wrote an expression of support for "the efforts of Portishead Skatepark Project" and "gives its in-principle support to an assessment of Kilkenny Fields as a suitable location". However, a final point was added at the bottom which stated "The Town Council would prefer a more central site". That is exactly what was available at the Lake Grounds which is why the town council gave its full support for planning and application for consent to the Lake Grounds.
Also of note is that when Dr Liam Fox MP queried why Kilkenny Fields was not suitable, the NSC Director of Development and Environment wrote back on 23.6.11 stating, "The Kilkenny Field site was considered some time ago but there was concern shown by the local ward member about this location". The same ward member who is now offering suggestions for a wheels park at the golf course!”
by BarryW
Tuesday, February 21 2012, 5:30PM
“As I recall this the third or fourth time North Somerset Council have tried to get a long lease, each time the concessionaire has not been able to make a living and has withdrawn.
With the opening of professional proper golf courses and driving ranges over the years perhaps the days of these mini old courses is over.”
by SpinyHedgehog
Tuesday, February 21 2012, 5:11PM
“As long as the under-sixties are banned, I can see no argument against it.”
by fairplay4u
Tuesday, February 21 2012, 12:32PM
“Mr Pasley said if no concessionaire came forward interested in running the site, consideration should be given to other uses – including a new wheels park for the town.
Methinks Mr Pasley is sticking his neck out saying this, enter the Nimbys, it's used for dog walking, so lets call it the Town Green.”
by MarkBS9
Tuesday, February 21 2012, 10:48AM
“I'd say there's a fairway to go before this golf course can reopen, but it looks as though there are strong drivers for it to happen. They'll now need an iron will to swing into action and bring it to fruition.”