Golf club saved from HS2 railway

A 130-year-old golf course in Lichfield has been saved from closure by the approval of a plan that will offset the routing of the HS2 railway through the middle of the golf course.

Whittington Heath Golf Club was faced with closure when plans for HS2 construction revealed the railway line would cut the course in two.

The planned route will eliminate five golf holes as well as a club house which dates back to the 18^th century. The successful application will preserve land unaffected by HS2 construction which has connections to the military and records dating back to King William III.

The plans have been underpinned by the purchase of adjacent land, which makes the site re-development possible. Five new golf holes, and a new clubhouse, will be built to replace the facilities lost by construction, with all costs being borne by HS2.

The announcement marks the completion of over five years of discussions with HS2 and club Captain Pete Espin said: “After consultation with members about the course of action we should take, we made a conscious decision to work with HS2 and preserve 130 years of golf and a much longer history for the overall site. We could simply have accepted the HS2 route as a signal for the course’s closure but we’ve worked closely with them and we’re delighted with the outcome under the circumstances.”

Kelvin Edwards, who led the preliminary discussions that created the strategy for re-development said: “Throughout the process, we liaised with local action groups, councils and national government officials to collaborate positively with HS2. In accepting the intended path of the railway, we’ve been able to reach a solution for both the club and HS2 which preserves the future and also secures environmental benefits for the local community. It’s been a difficult journey but one we feel has been entirely worthwhile.”

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