CRAIGIE Hill Golf Club is “bitterly disappointed” following Perth and Kinross Council’s decision to reject plans which aimed to help secure its future.
The future of the historic Perth club – formed over a century ago in 1911 – now hangs in the balance.
On Wednesday September 10 Perth and Kinross councillors voted to refuse planning permission for the club to reconfigure its course from 18 holes to nine, develop houses and build a new community hub.
Representatives from the club told councillors, the club was currently losing about £25-30,000 a year, had been “fighting” against a decline for the past 20 years and that “hundreds of thousands of pounds” had been spent on the development project, which was refused planning permission.
The planning application was brought before the entire council due to the proposal to build 175 homes on green belt land being against planning policy.
Speaking after the meeting, golf club captain Dave Mitchell said the club was now “even more concerned about what lies ahead for Craigie Hill”.
The Craigie Hill captain said: “We would like to thank councillors for their time but naturally we are bitterly disappointed with the council’s decision.
“Obviously we are even more concerned about what lies ahead for Craigie Hill.
“While the future of the golf club is assured for the next 15 months, we have warned all along that the club’s long-term existence is in serious jeopardy.
“The transition board would like to thank the many members of the public who have been providing enthusiastic support for this project, along with our loyal members.
“Rather than hugely enhancing the sporting and recreational amenities in Perth, the city could be facing yet another body blow following the council’s decision to sound the death knell for Bell’s Sports Centre, with the future of the ice rink and leisure pool also uncertain.
“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.”
