Golf driving range plans officially scrapped

Plans to build a golf driving range on Springfield Park were officially scrapped at the council cabinet meeting held this evening (Monday 14 June 2010).

The decision was welcomed by the support group Friends of Springfield Park.

A spokesperson for the group thanked the cabinet for their decision: “I speak on behalf of the Friends of Springfield Park and the thousands of Rochdale people who signed the petition to support us. Thank you for laying this matter to rest,” he said.

This result comes following months of public consultation in which it became clear the facility wasn’t welcomed by the majority of users of the park and local residents.

It was noted that there isn’t a pot of money available now this scheme isn’t going ahead because the money didn’t exist to start off with.

Councillor Terry Linden, a board member of Link4Life (who proposed the driving range), speaking on behalf of the Labour Party wasn’t happy with the decision. He said the council will learn from this decision which he believes in the long run will cost jobs and a loss of revenue.