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Mar 31st, 2016
Golf club to be annihilated by HS2 railway
But it’s not all over for Ingestre Park Golf Club
Words: James Greenwood
A golf club that will be effectively annihilated by the £43 billion high-speed HS2 route is to be given a new state-of-the-art course.
According to a report in Golf Management News, Ingestre Park Golf Club in Staffordshire will lose seven of its 18 holes, with the line passing within 100 metres of its clubhouse.
The 42-year-old venue will lose 13 of its 128 acres but with the railway dissecting its middle, the course will effectively be ruined.
Discussions with the club over compensation are still ongoing, but the club hopes to be given the option of either buying adjoining land to add to what is left of the course, or purchasing a new piece of land and start from literally scratching.
Ingestre member Gareth Morgan believes the compensation will cost HS2 about £3.5 million.
“With a train going by at over 200 miles an hour, it will destroy the rural pleasures of playing golf at Ingestre. HS2 is essentially going to destroy the golf club,” he said.
“The compensation we receive is governed by the Compulsory Purchase Act, which leaves the affected person in the same position after as they were before.
HS2 will assist the club in finding a different plot of land. They will pay the costs of obtaining planning, of designing, and building a brand new club and clubhouse.”
New HS2 line coming right through here!
He does not expect the club to move into its new home before 2023.
“Ingestre Golf Club will come out of HS2 better and stronger and able to face the future. The members have absolutely nothing to fear whatsoever,” he said.
HS2 spokesperson Alastair Cowan said: “The route is part of phase 2a, which runs from Birmingham up to Crewe. It is planned to open in 2027, one year after the main London to Birmingham section of the route. We are still in discussion with the golf club about a suitable compensation package. No deal yet.”
