Stewart Blackmore of the Ventnor Golf Club will be attending the Ventnor Town Council meeting this evening to present the new plans for development at Ventnor Golf Course. The club have kindly forwarded the press release below, which has all details of the development. Ed
Outline Project Scope
An exciting outline project proposal to extend the course to 18 holes, build a new clubhouse, luxury golf holiday units and to become one of the first truly carbon neutral golf clubs in the UK.
Key Project Aims – To modernise and make into a major attraction by:
* Build a new 18 hole golf course to county standard with the potential to host regional competitions.
* Build a new modern carbon neutral club house, training facility and banqueting suite, which will also be made available for use by the community and for external functions.
* Increase membership, encourage golf events, golf societies and casual members.
* To provide 15 luxury 4 bed pine lodges
* To ensure both environmental and financial sustainability
* Encourage greater community awareness and participation
* Contribute to local economy with the provision of new jobs, tourism opportunities.
* To achieve environmental and financial sustainability.
* Use the environment to become one of the first carbon neutral golf clubs in the UK.
Introduction
Ventnor is located 5km south of Shanklin, Ventnor is primarily a residential area made up of around 7,000 residents. The town is built on a series of step terraces beneath St. Boniface Down that lead down to the seafront.
Ventnor Golf Club is currently looking at expansion and sustainability issues. This includes reduction of its carbon footprint and the potential to become one of the first truly carbon neutral golf clubs in the UK.
Established in 1892, Ventnor Golf Club is the oldest golf club on the Isle of Wight. Ventnor Golf Club is located on Rew Down on the western side of Ventnor, on a south-facing slope above the Whitwell Road. It can be reached from Steephill Down road, Whitwell Road or Stenbury Trail.
The club currently has 12 holes and approximately 200 members.
According to the Indices of Deprivation, Ventnor ranks as the fourth most deprived ward on the Island within the top 25% most deprived nationally.
Proposal
New course
Build a new 18 hole County standard golf course, utilising the existing course and extending on to adjacent farm land.
Club house
The existing club house would be demolished and a new two level facility will be built. This will provide a much needed and long overdue modern facility. The club will ensure that access and facilities are suitable for disabled golfers. We will create a pro shop and new training facilities to enhance recruitment of new members with a particular bias towards juniors.
Restaurant
The club house restaurant will feature a first class restaurant offering excellent levels of food and service, with the finest views anywhere on the Island or, indeed, the South Coast. Island produce will be used as much as possible. The club house can be used for meetings and small seminars.
Membership
The club will increase our senior and junior membership base. We will encourage society golf and casual membership.
Holiday units
The project would entail the building of 15 eco friendly luxury units with 4 beds in each. The units would be built on land between the cemetery and golf fairway east of the golf club and which was previously used by the old Urban District Council and South Wight Borough Council. The existing road will be re-laid and the car park resurfaced. The units will be built on terracing. The units are constructed at the factory and are prefabricated onto concrete bases, minimising construction work and heavy traffic.
Tourism
Ventnor golf club will develop golf society events, and golfing holidays. This will utilise the holiday units and the new 18 hole county standard course.
Employment
New jobs will be created throughout the club, employing local skills as much as possible.
Energy Management
We will be including in the design the latest eco friendly technology and use the latest energy saving techniques. These include solar and wind technology and modern waste management systems. We will ensure that the club house and holiday units are sympathetic in character with the environs.
Environmental and Financial Sustainability
We will make the most of the superb wind speed and topography and install 3 small 30 metre wind turbines with small footprint, quick build and low visual impact. This will provide green energy for the golf club and allow the export of green energy to service approximately 600 houses1. By using this green strategy we derive an income from the exported green energy and will make carbon savings in excess of 1,000 tonnes per year.
Education
Education and hands on teaching aids will be available for local schools wishing to visit the golf club. This will take two forms, golf tuition and exploring environmental issues and concerns.
Outline Project Scoping
In order to build the project as efficiently as possible, over the last six months we have been consulting with the Isle of Wight County Council, Ventnor Town Council and various local government stakeholders. We have designed the outline project scope to embrace the current environmental and energy management recommendations. The project will be carried out in the most appropriate manner and retain Ventnor’s unique island character.
Stewart Blackmore Ventnor Golf Club Manager said …
This is a very exciting time for golf on the Isle of Wight. We aim to be one of the best golf clubs on the south coast. We believe that the project will not only take Ventnor Golf Club into the 21st century, but it will also provide Ventnor and the Isle of Wight with a much needed major attraction. This project has been planned to fully support the Eco Island vision, providing employment, tourism, education, sustainability both environmental and financial. We believe that we can become one of the first truly carbon neutral golf clubs in the UK.”
This proposal will be taken to the members at a EGM in the next few weeks and if we get the green light then we will start the consultation and planning process”¦”¦..If thing go according to plan hopefully we will be starting work latter this year.
References: 1. Based on UK average house consumption of 4,000 kW per annum
