Plans for a £2 million golf course have been put on ice following concerns about the amount of waste that would have to be brought in to form the nine-hole field.
Councillors last night decided to put the proposal to transform 80 acres of land plagued by yobs between Bursnips Road and Broad Lane, Essington, on hold for another month. The main concern was the fact that 750,000 tons of landfill waste would have to be brought in over 18 months to form the course. There were also issues about drainage.
Members deferred the project, which is widely backed in the community and would create scores of jobs, for more time to talk to the applicant and environmental agencies.
Essington district and parish councillor David Clifft, who has championed the project, said the course would be built next to Walsall FC’s new £1 million training ground.
“I am disappointed that the application was not approved, but the decision to defer it until next month was the right way forward.
“We need to get this application right as it will cost £2 million and bring much-needed jobs and facilities into Essington,” he said.
“The site used to be an opencast mine many years ago but now we have problems with anti-social behaviour and motorcyclists using it at weekends.
“It is mainly scrubland, nothing will grow there, which is why material must be brought in.
“Most golf courses use this sort of material for landscaping and drainage. This isn’t just a one-off, it is used for golf courses throughout the land.
“Around 30,000 trees would be planted over the 80 acres and residents are in support of the application. They would rather see it used for this than what it is currently used for, anti-social behaviour.”
Councillor Jeff Ashley said the golf course would be an “asset” to Essington.
He said: “To leave this land as it is would be detrimental to this area. I think with appropriate conditions, this could be brought back into good practical and social use and be a high-profile leisure facility.”
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