Basildon Council has gone out to the European wide market to seek an operator for the golf course.
The procurement approach was approved in March 2012, with the site being promoted in two ‘lots’, with companies able to bid for the running of the 18 hole course, the development of a 5 acre site next to the course for hotel/leisure purposes, or both together.
A procurement notice has been published and companies interested must submit an expression of interest by 2 November 2012.
Cllr Kevin Blake, cabinet member for leisure and arts, says: “This is an exciting opportunity for someone to shape the development and running of a popular leisure facility. This is also about ensuring the long term future of the golf course and finding an operator at nil cost to the Council and local taxpayers. We also want to see a leisure or hospitality led development of the course that will be a real benefit to the community.
“We have taken professional advice from golf course experts and done all we can to promote this opportunity for the market and I hope that we get a good response.”
Cllr Stuart Sullivan, cabinet member for resources, says: “We want to see a successful and popular facility that the people ofBasildoncan enjoy now and in the future. We are flexible in what leisure uses could be created at the golf course and the approach we are taking allows the private sector to come to us with suitable ideas.”
The golf course will be marketed through a single tender process with separate lots – this will allow bidders to tender for the operation of the Golf Course on its own, for the second lot for an associated development option on its own, or for both together.
Any financial viability business models for the separate lots will be heavily scrutinised and evaluated as part of the procurement process.
Proposals for development at the site will be subject to planning policy and the standard planning application procedures.
Further information is available from Stephanie Fields on 01269 294454 or stephanie.fields@basildon.gov.uk
Basildon Golf Course www.basildon.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=987