City tees up plan to transform golf courses into allotments

Published on Tuesday 6 October 2009 10:01

GOLF courses in Edinburgh could be turned into allotments because of a fall in the number of people playing the game.

An audit by the city council has identified an over-provision of council-run golf courses in the Capital.

At the same time, the waiting list for allotment plots continues to grow, with latest figures showing more than 2,100 people are waiting for a site.

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The council is now to investigate if some courses could be closed and replaced by allotments or used as other sporting facilities as part of a city-wide review of Edinburgh's "open space".

The latest audit found a quarter of all the city's open space is taken up by golf courses.

Dave Anderson, the council's director of city development, said: "Indications of falling demand for golf suggest potential over-provision of courses.

"Set in the context of significantly increased demand for other facilities such as allotments and sports pitches, this raises major strategic issues for open space as golf courses constitute a significant proportion of the city's total open-space resource."

A draft open-space strategy is now being drawn up in conjunction with Edinburgh Leisure, golf clubs and national groups.

There are six council-run courses in the city – Braid Hills, Carrick Knowe, Craigentinny, Portobello, Princes and Silverknowes.

Hamish Grey, chief executive of the Scottish Golf Union, said the recession had hit private golf clubs across the country, with membership falling by 2-3 per cent.

However, he said pay-and-play courses remained popular and the union was "looking forward to discussing with Edinburgh City Council how to maximise enjoyment of the courses".

Mr Grey also stressed municipal courses were "critical" to moves in the city and across the country to get more young people to play golf.

The growth in demand for allotments has seen more than 2,100 people join a waiting list for 1,230 council plots. While an initial review has identified potential new allotment sites, Mr Anderson said the open-space strategy was "an opportunity to consider sites in another use for which there may be declining demand".

Green councillor Alison Johnstone said: "It doesn't make sense if we are using a massive percentage of our green space for a smaller group of people than would be interested in allotments or other uses. But any review should be as equitable and sensible as possible."

She added that many private golf clubs had attempted to make themselves more inclusive and affordable, which could reduce the demand for public courses.

A council spokeswoman said: "The open-space strategy will help the council ensure open spaces, such as parks, sports pitches and golf courses, are utilised to their full potential.

"As golf courses make up a quarter of the open space in Edinburgh, it is important they are included in the study. However, information on how these facilities are being used is still being gathered."