A long-standing golf club in Perth, Craigie Hill, finds itself at a critical juncture following a recent decision by the local authority. The future of the venerable 114-year-old institution has been cast into doubt after Perth and Kinross Council’s planning committee firmly rejected proposals for a significant residential development on a section of its expansive grounds. The ambitious project, which envisioned building up to 175 new homes across approximately half of the golf course, was seen as essential for the club’s financial viability and its planned expansion into a broader community hub.
The council’s decision, reached after careful deliberation, was primarily rooted in the overarching policy to safeguard the region’s designated green belt areas. Planners asserted that the imperative of preserving these vital green spaces, crucial for environmental balance and public enjoyment, outweighed the benefits projected by the development. A significant point of contention and a key factor in the refusal was the identified flood risk associated with the proposed access routes, specifically Low Road and the designated emergency access via Woodside Crescent. These routes were deemed vulnerable, posing potential hazards and solidifying the council’s position against the development.
In the wake of this considerable setback, Dave Mitchell, the esteemed captain of Craigie Hill Golf Club, has publicly shared his profound disappointment. He described the outcome as a “devastating blow” to Perth, expressing deep concern that the city could lose yet another cherished recreational asset. Mitchell highlighted the potential broader implications for local leisure facilities, drawing parallels to the recent closure of Bell’s Sports Centre and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of other key venues like the ice rink and the leisure pool. He emphasized that the club’s long-term survival, while secured for the immediate 15 months, remains in serious jeopardy without the proposed redevelopment.
The Craigie Hill Golf Club, which has been a cornerstone of Perth’s sporting landscape for over a century, has provided a scenic and challenging course for generations of golfers. Its significance extends beyond the greens, serving as a social hub and a part of the local community’s fabric. The proposed development, undertaken in partnership with a Dundee-based firm, wasn’t just a residential scheme; it encompassed a substantial upgrade to the clubhouse, intended to transform it into a vibrant community hub serving wider local interests. This vision had garnered considerable support from members of the public and loyal club members, all hopeful for the revitalisation the project promised.
Despite the current disappointment, Mitchell acknowledged the council’s willingness to engage in further discussions, noting their expressed interest in exploring a “collaborative approach to securing the future of the club.” This offers a glimmer of hope amidst the immediate despair. “We will take a few days to reflect calmly on the council decision, and comments made during the course of the meeting, before deciding on our next step,” Mitchell stated, indicating a cautious yet determined approach to navigating the path ahead. The final vote saw the application rejected by a significant margin of 26 votes to nine, with two abstentions, sealing the fate of the immediate plans and intensifying the focus on alternative solutions for the historic golf club and its role within the Perth community.
The council’s decision, reached after careful deliberation, was primarily rooted in the overarching policy to safeguard the region’s designated green belt areas. Planners asserted that the imperative of preserving these vital green spaces, crucial for environmental balance and public enjoyment, outweighed the benefits projected by the development. A significant point of contention and a key factor in the refusal was the identified flood risk associated with the proposed access routes, specifically Low Road and the designated emergency access via Woodside Crescent. These routes were deemed vulnerable, posing potential hazards and solidifying the council’s position against the development.
In the wake of this considerable setback, Dave Mitchell, the esteemed captain of Craigie Hill Golf Club, has publicly shared his profound disappointment. He described the outcome as a “devastating blow” to Perth, expressing deep concern that the city could lose yet another cherished recreational asset. Mitchell highlighted the potential broader implications for local leisure facilities, drawing parallels to the recent closure of Bell’s Sports Centre and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of other key venues like the ice rink and the leisure pool. He emphasized that the club’s long-term survival, while secured for the immediate 15 months, remains in serious jeopardy without the proposed redevelopment.
The Craigie Hill Golf Club, which has been a cornerstone of Perth’s sporting landscape for over a century, has provided a scenic and challenging course for generations of golfers. Its significance extends beyond the greens, serving as a social hub and a part of the local community’s fabric. The proposed development, undertaken in partnership with a Dundee-based firm, wasn’t just a residential scheme; it encompassed a substantial upgrade to the clubhouse, intended to transform it into a vibrant community hub serving wider local interests. This vision had garnered considerable support from members of the public and loyal club members, all hopeful for the revitalisation the project promised.
Despite the current disappointment, Mitchell acknowledged the council’s willingness to engage in further discussions, noting their expressed interest in exploring a “collaborative approach to securing the future of the club.” This offers a glimmer of hope amidst the immediate despair. “We will take a few days to reflect calmly on the council decision, and comments made during the course of the meeting, before deciding on our next step,” Mitchell stated, indicating a cautious yet determined approach to navigating the path ahead. The final vote saw the application rejected by a significant margin of 26 votes to nine, with two abstentions, sealing the fate of the immediate plans and intensifying the focus on alternative solutions for the historic golf club and its role within the Perth community.