Shropshire Star

Group registers interest in buying Shrewsbury pitch and putt

A community group has confirm its interest in buying Shrewsbury's Meole Brace Pitch & Putt golf course.

Published

The Friends of Meole Brace Golf Course (FMBGC) has submitted a letter to Shropshire Council expressing an interest in the course as part of its rights under the site's registration as an 'asset of community value'.

The council has decided it wants to sell the pitch & putt to developers but because the site was registered as an asset of community value by FMBGC, the organisation must be offered the opportunity to buy the land.

Byron Tann, an FMBGC committee member, said he hoped that the expression of interest would "open up a dialogue" with the council.

He said: "In the absence of any official information with regards to details of the sale of the pitch and putt area and the future of the Meole Brace Golf Course as a whole, the chairman of The Friends of Meole Brace Golf Course has now written to Shropshire Council registering an interest in the possible purchase of this land on behalf of the community.

"This will give the committee an opportunity to assess and consult as to whether council plans for the whole of the golf course will be of benefit or detriment to this popular public resource."

Mr Tann has urged the public to get in contact with their own views on the future of the site.

He said: "Should any local residents wish to make comments, suggestions or be kept informed of progress, they can contact the friends committee by email at fombgc@gmail.com."

The plan to sell the site was initially approved at a meeting of Shropshire Council’s cabinet in March, however the full council is required to vote on any policies involving transactions of more than £1 million.

The proposal was subsequently approved by the full council last month, with plans for the site to be marketed by property agents Colliers.

A spokesman for the authority said the land is expected to be "of interest to hotels and leisure companies, drive-through food outlets, food and drink operators, or for extra-care housing and health facilities – or a mix of these".

Under the proposal £50,000 raised from its sale will go to the neighbouring Meole Brace Golf Course.

The council said it expects the money to be used for additional practice facilities.

Having expressed an interest in the site the FMBGC will have six months to make an offer for the site.

The council is under no obligation to sell the site to the group and can accept offers from the highest bidder.