Users of Down Grange will get an opportunity to find out more and share their views on initial proposals to relocate golf facilities in areas around the sports complex.

In January, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Cabinet took a decision to progress further investigation work on plans to relocate facilities currently at Basingstoke Golf Centre to Down Grange.

Proposals being explored are to create a six-hole pitch and putt course, which could operate as a 12-hole course with dual tees, in a small area south of Down Grange House. Utilising the latest technology, a golf training and practice pod could also be created at the sports complex to replace the current driving range at a smaller scale. The proposal for Down Grange aims to provide accessible golf for people of all ages to start playing or improve their skills or enjoy a family activity.

Alongside these proposals for Down Grange, the council is continuing to look at options to create new adventure golf facilities at the leisure park.

The community will get an opportunity to find out more and share their views during a drop-in session between 3pm and 8pm on Wednesday 10 September at St Mark’s Church, Homesteads Road, Basingstoke, RG22 5LQ.

The proposals to reprovide golf facilities follows the council agreeing a conditional land deal in July 2024 for Great Wolf Resorts to build an indoor water park resort on land next to the leisure park, subject to getting planning permission. This is after the major US-based leisure operator identified an interest in bringing one of its family attractions to Basingstoke. This scheme is subject to getting planning permission and Great Wolf is expected to hold a further consultation event this autumn.

Since the initial decision in January, the council has been carrying out further investigation work including surveys and preparing initial designs for the proposals and is keen to hear views from everyone that uses Down Grange.

Cabinet Member for Sports, Leisure and Culture Cllr Kerry Morrow said: “We absolutely recognise that this is a complex and sensitive proposal and we have been listening to what the community has been telling us. The feedback we have collected so far has helped us to shape our proposals and we want to show our initial concept designs to residents and users of Down Grange to understand their views on them and explore further opportunities to enhance the site.

“Alongside the views from the community, our proposals aim to carefully balance the importance of protecting and enhancing biodiversity while delivering on our commitment to providing accessible grassroots golf facilities for players to practice their skills, enabling them to progress to other courses.

“I want to thank everyone who has shared their views with us already and I look forward to speaking with more members of the community at our drop-in session to shape our proposals.”

The feedback gathered through the drop-in session will shape final designs before a planning application is submitted later this year.

For more information, visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/golf-centre-future