Golf is one of the Country's fastest growing participation sports. It reached a peak
of actual and
proposed course development in the late 1980s. That expansion was driven by a favourable
economic climate, a report by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club which called for 700 new golf
courses nationally by the end of this century and the reform of agricultural policy which effectively
subsidised the establishment of courses by allowing them to be sited on 'set-aside' land.
In common with much else, the growth in golfing facilities has been somewhat curtailed
in the
1990s. As and when economic prospects revive sufficiently, the popularity of the game is likely to
lead to a resurgence in demand - accentuated by its particular appeal to the middle-aged and
retired, the numbers of which are predicted to increase dramatically during the Plan period (i.e.
Lincoln's population aged 40+ will increase by about one third between 1996 and 2011). The
Government (PPG 17: "Sport and Recreation"), the Countryside Commission and English Heritage
(each from their particular viewpoints), have issued advice on golf course development in response
to the 1980s boom. These identify issues of concern for the planning system, such as:
•
the sheer amount of land needed, which can be in the range of 40 to 60 hectares for an
18 hole course;
•
the potential for conflict between course design and present landscape character;
•
the need for adequate access and parking arrangements for what can be a major traffic
generator.
Urban fringe locations for courses can be ideal, acting as buffers to development
and, in
accordance with sustainable development principles, minimising the overall distance people need
to travel to them.
The Golf Development Council (now merged with the Sports Council), recommends a rate
of
provision of 9 holes per 15,000 residents. The following analysis, based on that standard, indicates
the scale of shortfall in golf provision in the Lincoln Area.
Golf Holes
:t ' '
Population in Target to meet Actual +or-
' Lincolnshire within Standard Against Standard
* ' "'
•V 5km of City Centre 57 47 -10
10km V »3 65 -18
15km 93 83 -10
* { 20km 107 152 +45
25km 148 224 +76
It reveals a distinct shortage of facilities in and around the urban area and for
a distance of up to 15
kilometres from the City Centre. This is only 'remedied' by provision at some distance - in towns
such as Gainsborough, Newark and Woodhall Spa and in the Trent Valley at Torksey and
Laughterton. The possibility of a new golf course is therefore allowed for in the proposals for the
development of the Skewbridge Area.
