Recent years have seen some great improvements at Tilgate Golf Course. This includes the re-profiled driving range, an excellent new clubhouse, and the introduction of Footgolf. As well as being a premier golf course, it is a haven for wildlife and has picturesque woodland that makes it popular for walking on footpaths and public rights of way. I like to walk here myself in the summer and autumn and as a local Furnace Green councillor whose ward covers the golf course, I am keen for this whole area to remain beautiful.
There is currently woodland management work underway that ultimately seeks to improve the woodland at the golf course, for example by thinning out areas that are too dense and encouraging new growth. While this is mostly understood, there have been concerns raised about the way the works are being implemented and the now devastated state of parts of the woodland. Having heard local concerns and having visited, I feel it is now time that the Council as landowner has a greater oversight of the works being undertaken.
Therefore, I have submitted a notice of motion for the Full Council meeting at Crawley Borough Council on the 24th February that seeks to create that greater oversight and help address the concerns raised. I have also taken the unusual step of giving the Council’s Cabinet Member responsible, advance sight of the motion because we are keen to immediately work with him to address the concerns. I stress that this course of action is not about criticising anyone or playing political games – our motivation is about trying to achieve the best possible outcome all round as quickly as possible.
The motion is looking to the Council’s Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, to seek sound assurances that the second phase of the woodland management plan is implemented in a more sympathetic way to the natural environment than the first phase. We want to ensure that damaged footpaths are returned to a usable condition as soon as is reasonably possible and want to see healthy mature trees identified in order to save them from felling.
Councillor Duncan Crow, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group
17th February 2016