'Victory' for Temple Newsam Golf Club as no plans for closure in Leeds Council budget plan

A senior Leeds councillor has celebrated a 'victory' for Temple Newsam Golf Club - as plans to close the club were not included in the council's first budget paper.
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In October, golfers launched a fight to save the 90-year-old club after Leeds Council announced plans to permanently replace it with a family cycling centre.

The early plans for the centre included cycle trails, a BMX pump-track and a family road-safety park which would host cycling workshops for schools.

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There wold also have been a cafe and a new events space for gigs, festivals and other events.

Temple Newsam Golf ClubTemple Newsam Golf Club
Temple Newsam Golf Club

Middleton Park underwent a similar transformation in 2018 when the golf course was replaced by a new bike hub.

However, plans to close the Temple Newsam Golf Club are not contained in the Initial Budget Proposals for 2020/21, the council's first take on the budget for the next financial year.

Councillor Andrew Carter, leader of the Conservative Group, believes this represents a "victory" for those who opposed the plans.

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Coun Carter said: “From the off we have been totally opposed to this and have sought to do everything we can to stop plans that would have closed this popular golf cub as it approached its centenary year.

Councillor Andrew Carter has opposed plans to close Temple Newsam Golf CourseCouncillor Andrew Carter has opposed plans to close Temple Newsam Golf Course
Councillor Andrew Carter has opposed plans to close Temple Newsam Golf Course

"We thought the proposals were too rigid and did not give any consideration to a compromise that would see golf and the new cycling facilities both delivered at Temple Newsam.

"The absence of any proposals in the initial budget papers suggests that the administration have backed down and listened to us and the hundreds of golf club members and residents who were totally opposed to this scheme.

"It does seem that the administration have got themselves in a ‘bunker’ over these proposals and are now having to do a U-turn.

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"One can only hope that they confirm that golf will be retained at Temple Newsam as soon as possible.”

In November's full council meeting, council executive members hit back at opposition, claiming the course was too costly to maintain and that no decision had yet been made on its fate.

Leeds City Council’s cabinet member for environment Coun Mohammed Rafique, said the course had seen a 65 per cent reduction in “pay and play” numbers, and a 60 per cent reduction in season ticket holders.

Coun Rafique also said the council had to spend a subsidy of £220,000 per year to keep the course running.

The Initial Budget Proposals were discussed during the council's Executive Board meeting on Tuesday.