'Misunderstanding' led to golf course campaign
BBCThu, December 18, 2025 at 1:53 PM UTC
2 min read
Fears about the closure of a golf course and a subsequent campaign to save it were based on a "misunderstanding", councillors have said.
Thousands signed a petition to save Solent Meads in Southbourne after Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) said it was reviewing the future of the site.
At a meeting on Wednesday, cabinet members approved a biodiversity scheme for council owned land at Erlin Farm, Millhams Mead and at Solent Meads - excluding the golf course.
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As part of the same vote, councillors also agreed that "improving nature" should form part of the re-tendering of the golf course lease, which expires in November 2026.
Solent Meads has been leased and operated by Golf for All for 22 years.
Director Matthew Steward, who launched the petition, told the meeting: "When we were informed in November that there would be no more golf at Solent Meads, we were outraged on behalf of the people who use the facility.
"I'm pleased that, due to the strong opposition from residents and the representation of our local councillors, golf is now back on the table."
BCP consultants previously identified the three sites as having potential to generate Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) units - credits which are sold to developers to offset the impact of developments.
East Southbourne and Tuckton councillor Bernadette Nanovo said, after hearing about the scheme, "it soon became apparent that the golf was at risk".
"Our opposing voices were soon backed up by the Hengistbury Head residents' association and 8,000-plus people who signed the petition," she said.
Summing up, environment councillor Andy Hadley said: "The views were based on a misunderstanding - we hadn't made a decision and golf was always part of the consideration.
"We are looking to improve the biodiversity and, quite separately, we need to look at re-procuring the leisure opportunity on that site."