Vandal-hit former golf course to become new community park in south Leeds

A vandal-hit former golf course in South Leeds is to be turned into a 118-acre park for the community after council bosses took back control.
The former South Leeds Golf Club on Gipsy Lane, Middleton. Picture: GoogleThe former South Leeds Golf Club on Gipsy Lane, Middleton. Picture: Google
The former South Leeds Golf Club on Gipsy Lane, Middleton. Picture: Google

South Leeds Golf Club in Middleton - believed to have been one of Leeds’ oldest golf clubs - announced last year it had gone into administration.

Vandalism, declining membership and the rising price of bills were cited at the time as reasons the club, on Gipsy Lane, was unable to survive, after a 113-year history.

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Now, council chiefs have agreed to take back the lease on the land, for £100,000, with plans to open it up for community use - with “new routes for cycling, walking and running”.

A report to the director of city development said: “Taking the land back into the council’s control will enable the expansion of the Middleton Park Estate as a significant recreational amenity for South Leeds.”

It said the move would also provide the opportunity to plant new trees, creating more woodland and helping with the council’s commitment to make Leeds net carbon neutral by 2030.

The report concluded taking over the land "would be the most appropriate course of action that gives full control to the city council for 118 acres of open space in South Leeds.

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"In turn this action presents a opportunity to enhance the recreation facilities locally and progress complementary works that supports the council’s objective to mitigate the impact of climate change."

Coun Judith Blake (Lab, Middleton Park and leader of the council) said: “Following South Leeds golf club entering administration last December, the council agreed to accept their surrender of the lease on the land.

“As local ward councillors we are determined to keep the land for recreational use for the local community, through expansion of the Middleton Park estate.

“Further details will come forward later in the year, but options include providing new routes for walking, cycling and running, as well as extensive tree planting as part of the council’s plans to create more woodland to help tackle the climate emergency.”

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