HS2-affected golf course set for a major revamp
AHISTORIC golf course which was threatened with closure because of HS2 has secured its future in what is believed to be the first deal of its kind with the high-speed rail line.
Whittington Heath Golf Club, near Lichfield, which was founded in 1886 and is claimed to be one of the oldest in England, will be bisected by the rail line, resulting in the loss of five holes and the demolition of its historic clubhouse, greenkeeper’s compound and halfway house.
But the Government has now agreed a deal with the club to pay for a major redevelopment comprising a replacement clubhouse, five new holes, practice range, remodelling of five existing holes and a new car park.
Publicly accessible ecological areas including wetlands and environmental offset land will also be part of the project.
The application, approved by Lichfield District Council, will preserve land unaffected by HS2 construction which has connections to the military and records dating back to King William III.
The announcement is believed to be the first of its kind relating to the HS2 project which will see a highspeed line built between Birmingham and London and then a second phase up to the North West and Yorkshire.
Work in the Lichfield area will be carried out as part of phase one of HS2 to prepare the way for the route to the north.
This week’s green light marks the completion of more than five years of discussions between the club and HS2.
Club captain Pete Espin said: “After consultation with members about the course of action we should take, we made a conscious decision to work with HS2 and preserve 130 years of golf and a much longer history for the overall site.
“We could simply have accepted the HS2 route as a signal for the course’s closure but we’ve worked closely with them and we’re delighted with the outcome under the circumstances.”
Member-owned Whittington Heath originated in 1886 when a nine-hole course was founded by Lieutenant-Colonel George Simon and built by the soldiers from the newly constructed and neighbouring barracks.
The course was remodelled in 1929 and extended to 18 holes but was nearly lost after the Second World War as it was used as a holding camp for American forces.
In 1702, the land was used to facilitate Staffordshire’s only racecourse and the current 18th fairway was part of the finishing straight and the current clubhouse was erected as a grandstand for racegoers.
In 1992, the club changed its name from “Whittington Barracks” to “Whittington Heath” when it was purchased from the Ministry of Defence by the members.
An HS2 spokesperson said: “We are delighted that the members of Whittington Heath Golf Club have been able to secure new land that will enable its long golfing traditions to continue into the future.”