Stourbridge Golf Club reopens amid concerns about trees near homes
More than 1,000 fire razed trees will be removed from the golf course as the clean up gets under way
Players have returned to Stourbridge Golf Club which has partially reopened after a major blaze wrecked the fairways.
Following a club meeting bosses took to Facebook to announce that six holes at the Worcester Lane grounds in Norton was opened to golfers from Saturday (August 22).
The flames spread to the course bordered by Racecourse Lane from nearby fields and resulted in significant damage to its woodland and heath areas on August 13, as well leaving 19 neighbouring homes gutted in a trail of devastation.
The club posted on the Facebook platform: “Thanks to the hard work of our teams, our members and of course that of the emergency services, we are now open as a club house. This is a significant step and we are hoping to support those impacted by the fires within our community.
“Please come and speak with us to find out more. The golf course itself will take us a little longer as there is so much damage. However, the top part of the course, all being well will be open from Saturday.
“This is only six holes but it is a start and we will build from there. As ever, we will support our neighbours and community in any way that we can.”
Contractor Regional Tree Care Ltd is due to start the tree clearing operation.
Meanwhile several residents have responded with concerns about trees at the property.
Pam Simpson posted: “Great that you are determined to open up some of the course again. Really pleased. Your neighbours in Melrose Avenue and Birkdale Close would love to have a chat about the trees as we are scared to be returning to high risk properties.”
The club’s representative replied: “Yes Pam. We can sort that conversation. I will put our team in touch with you.”
Paul Crane posted: “The trees backing onto the houses all the way down Melrose Avenue as far as Sunningdale Close need management. My wife and I are extremely anxious in light of recent events and I would appreciate a conversation to discuss it.”
Paul Taylor posted: “A meeting with all the residents who border the course would be great. We appreciate it is a conservation area, but what was satisfactory when the houses were built is not now and the trees are substantially larger.”
Rebecca Lawrence posted: “The residents of Fairways Avenue would like to attend too.”
The club added that residents and wellwishers were welcome to call in to the clubhouse to speak to staff or fill in a contact form on its website.
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