Shrewsbury's pitch & putt course could make 'significant' money for taxpayer if sold, says Shropshire Council
A pitch and putt golf course could generate "a significant" amount of money for taxpayers if it is put up for sale, according to the council that owns it.
The future of the Meole Brace Pitch and Putt in Shrewsbury is uncertain as Shropshire Council prepares to go out to public consultation on whether to put the site on the market.
The council's cabinet was today deciding to begin a six-week consultation on three options for the 3.95-acre site – with the council saying that the consultation will be held on the basis that selling the site is the preferred option.
A report from Tim Smith, the council's head of business enterprise and commercial services, says that the number of people using the pitch & putt has fallen in recent years.
He says: "The overall usage of the facility is down by 1,000 visits in the last four years, from a peak of 2,590 in 2011. The area of the course is well located in terms of physical infrastructure and accessibility being adjacent to the inner ring road and the Meole Brace roundabout which serves one of the major routes into the Shrewsbury town centre.
"There is potential for an alternative use on the site which could generate a significant capital receipt should it be declared surplus to the council's requirements."
The options being put forward for the site include Shropshire Council continuing to operate and subsidise the facility, although it could be managed by another group.
Mr Smith adds: "It is considered that within this option, investment will be required in both improving the facility and in better promoting it to local residents. This option would not necessarily preclude any alternative ownership or management arrangements being considered in the future."
The potential sale is also being put forward, with the land being described as "attractive" in the report.
The final option is for an "alternative use for the site that will provide long-term benefit to the local community".
The pitch and putt site has previously been registered as an asset of community value. There are no plans to sell the Meole Brace Golf Course, which is next to the pitch and putt.
