Golfing greats Colin Montgomerie and Paul Casey have thrown their support behind a campaign to save a public golf course threatened by developers.
The pair spoke out against the current redevelopment plan for Springfield Hospital, in Tooting, which would see up to 839 homes built on the site - and spell the end of the Central London Golf Centre, in Burntwood Lane.
The club operates on land owned by South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust (SWLSTG) - but a development application submitted to Wandsworth Council by the trust reveals no future provision for golf on the site.
The new application has again angered campaigners, who objected to a previous plan by the trust in March, last year. That proposal asked for permission to build 1,200 new homes in order to finance new hospital facilities, but it was rejected by councillors.
Campaigner Giles Nicholas said about 1,400 letters of objection had already been written. Earlier this month, more than 100 residents packed into the golf club for a mass letter writing campaign to oppose the development.
He branded the scheme “madness” and claimed the loss of the pay and play nine-hole course would disappoint hundreds of children.
Ryder Cup-winning captain, Montgomerie, said: “I don’t think you can overstate the importance of nine hole courses in introducing aspiring golfers to this great game. I started out on a nine hole pitch and putt at Troon Portland and to this day I believe there is no greater place to develop your skills without being discouraged.”
Casey added: “It’s because of places like this that I got into golf.”
Mr Nicholas also warned the development would put intense pressure on traffic in the area - nearby Trinity Road was recently deemed to be one of the most congested in Britain.
To learn more about the anti-development campaign visit neighboursofspringfield.co.uk.
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