Perth’s Craigie Hill Golf Club has officially lodged a planning application, in principle, with Perth and Kinross Council.
It details their vision to reconfigure the golf course, create a new Sports and Community Hub and proposals for residential development.
At a time when Scotland is losing community golf clubs, the ambitious project has been designed to secure the long-term future of the historic Fair City golf club.
Following extensive engagement with local stakeholders and sports bodies, their input has influenced the design of the golf course and the range of community uses being accommodated within a repurposed clubhouse.
In addition to meeting the demand for a nine-hole golf course the project envisages extensive woodland planting, amenity space, ancillary sporting offerings, upgraded access arrangements and additional footpaths and cycling routes at Craigie Hill and the neglected Buckie Braes beauty spot.
The clubhouse will undergo a full redevelopment to provide a versatile community hub, including space for dance, martial arts and social events, alongside areas designated for wellness and meetings.
Club Captain and Transition Board member Dave Mitchell has hailed it as a major milestone in a project which has evolved over the last 18 months.
“The membership has been fully briefed every step of the way and their support has been vital in bringing forward this exciting project,” he said.
“From the outset, the club has ensured engagement with the wider community has been at the forefront and we are grateful to those who have provided input to our vision not just for golf but for enhancing the leisure offering in the Craigie Hill area.
“The proposal includes significant improvements in community facilities and green spaces.
“Our greenkeepers will be responsible for maintaining the green spaces and on-site open drainage ponds, securing existing roles and creating additional job opportunities.
“Understandably, given incidents in recent years in Perth, flood concerns were raised as part of the wide-ranging consultation process.
“Following the findings from an independent specialist report, we are pleased that the proposed development will strengthen local flood mitigation measures and increase resilience.”
The planning application follows well attended Open Days held at the clubhouse last month.
“The status quo is not an option. Two golf clubs have closed recently in Scotland. These proposals present a one-off opportunity to create a sustainable future for Craigie Hill and ensure the local community can enjoy the leisure provision for years to come,” said Mr Mitchell.
He noted that Majors winner and internationally respected course architect Sir Nick Faldo is championing nine and 12-hole golf courses to tie in with the demands of work and family life.
“We are delighted to have partnered with well-known local engineering firm Kilmac to handle the housing element and a community hub which will provide a model for others to follow.
“The housing element on the northern slopes is essential to fund this development of exciting sporting and leisure opportunities.
“We have taken on board views expressed by individuals and groups representing the local community and the 175 homes now being proposed will be a mix of two, three, four and five bedrooms, with 43 much needed affordable houses and 33 bungalows forming part of the overall development.”
Craigie Hill Golf Club was first established in 1911 and is situated in the Cherrybank area of Perth and has enjoyed a long history of providing golf to many in the community. The Club has enlisted Kilmac to support the club’s refurbishment and redevelopment.