Consultation launched over future of Oldbury golf course

People will be asked to give their views on plans to close the golf course and club house – as well as weigh in on other uses for the site.

Sandwell Council is putting forward possible options to create a new public park and build a new school to replace the existing ageing buildings at Causeway Green Primary as well as much-needed new homes.

The findings of the consultation will be reported back to the council’s cabinet for consideration early next year.

Council research shows that attendance at Brandhall have fallen by a quarter in five years. Membership has also dropped and the course costs £257,000 a year to keep open.

The course has 318 members, which is below the expected number of members for an 18-hole golf course. Nearly two-thirds of current members – 193 of the 318 – live outside Sandwell.

Around £3 million would need to be spent on major improvements to bring it up to the required standard for the future.

Sandwell Council leader Councillor Yvonne Davies said: “We’re keen to hear what people think and this consultation will give everyone the chance to have their say.

“We’ve heard from some club members who are disappointed at our proposal to close the course and they will have six weeks of formal consultation to present their views to us.

“We have to consider how best to invest in the long-term future of the local community, so we also want to hear from local residents to make sure everyone’s needs are considered.”

Councillor Davies said the Brandhall site offered an opportunity to create the borough’s first new major public park in Sandwell’s 45-year history.

She added: “This would be a new park that everyone could access and enjoy, which would help promote physical activity and healthy living for all ages.

“A new school to serve local families could also be provided as well as new homes to meet people’s housing needs.”

The consultation will include three different options for the size of park that could be created alongside a school and homes if the course were to close.

People can have their say via an online survey, email and three drop-in sessions, which will be held at Brandhall Library, Tame Road, on Tuesday, November 12 from 10am to 1pm, Wednesday, November 27 from 1pm to 4pm, and Monday, December 16 from 5pm to 8pm.

The online survey is available at sandwell.gov.uk/brandhall or email brandhall_consultation@sandwell.gov.uk.