On Tuesday, 6th February, Medway Council’s Cabinet will meet to consider recommendations to permanently close Deangate Ridge golf course.

The announcement that Medway Council plans to close the local facility has met with some stiff resistance already though.

Closing football pitches, a swimming pool and a cricket pitch in recent years, the Hoo peninsula has seen a loss of facilities in the area with the Council expected to utilise the land at Deangate Ridge for housing.

An offer in the region of £35 million for the site is believed to have been made with the golf course tipped to close as early as 31st March 2018.

In their statement regards the closure of the golf course, Medway Council are keen to point out that the facility has been running at a loss for a number of years.

It reads:

Deangate Ridge has made a significant loss for a number of years and, despite efforts to reduce costs, it is no longer considered financially sustainable. In 2016/17, the total loss was more than £202,000, with an annual average loss over seven years of £223,000.

The past decade has seen a significant decline nationally in the numbers playing golf and Deangate Ridge, with a small membership of 282 members, has suffered from this trend. There is no realistic expectation that the annual loss would cease and this position is not sustainable at a time when the council faces continuing significant demands on its budget.

The paper to be considered by Cabinet also sets out a proposal to begin detailed planning for the development of a larger, more modern sports centre on the Hoo Peninsula which will meet the needs of residents and reflects the growing population in this area in future years.

Cabinet will discuss and decide on whether to approve the recommendations at their next public meeting on 6 February, from 3pm, at Gun Wharf.

Cllr Howard Doe, Portfolio Holder for Community Services at Medway Council, said: “Due to Deangate Ridge’s continued financial loss during an already challenging climate, I will be recommending that Cabinet approves the proposal to close the golf course.”

“It is costing council taxpayers large sums of money each year and this could be better used to benefit those in our community who are most in need. If Cabinet approves the recommendation to close the course at Deangate Ridge, golfers are fortunate enough to have seven other golf courses nearby where they will still be able to access good quality facilities. The proposal that is going to Cabinet does not affect the bowls club.

“The provision of excellent opportunities for everyone to participate in sport remains a priority for the council, so I will also be seeking Cabinet’s approval to start working on a proposal to develop a new sports centre in the Hoo peninsula and hold a public consultation to find out what facilities residents would most like to see in this new, proposed centre.”

Medway Council has owned the golf course for more than 40 years. Deangate Ridge offers an 18-hole par 71 course for golfers of all abilities.

The sports complex also has an athletics track, bowls centre, football pitches and tennis courts. The proposal is to close the golf course only.