We the undersigned are opposed to the proposals put forward by EVOLVE in conjunction with Milton Keynes Council, to:

·  Sell or lease Windmill Hill Golf course in Bletchley to EVOLVE.

·  Re-landscape the 18-hole golf course and convert it into a 9-hole and 9-hole par 3 course.

·  Build houses, a hotel and a “sports hub” on the site.

·  Lease out many of the proposed sports facilities to organisations based elsewhere in the UK.

·  Fence off the site to prevent public access.

 

We believe these proposals will result in:

·  Only one municipal golf course (Abbey Hill) will be left in Milton Keynes, serving up to half a million people

·  Yet more traffic congestion on already busy roads - which will be further increased by planned developments in Tattenhoe Park and Kingsmead South new housing (1600), and Salden Chase and Shenley Park (potentially another 3500 houses).

·  Loss of green open space and biodiversity, as land is lost to the housing, hotel, “sports hub” facilities, ground level parking and multi-storey car parks.

·  Loss of access to a site which has been publicly accessible to local residents for over 40 years and is used on a daily basis by walkers and dog walkers

·  Significantly increased noise and light pollution affecting local residents.

·  Damage to the environment and disturbance of protected species caused by the re-landscaping.

·  Increase in the carbon footprint caused by felling of mature trees, replacement with younger trees and increased car usage.

 

Neither Milton Keynes Council nor EVOLVE have so far demonstrated any evidence to support the claims made, including (but not limited to):

·  Non-viability of 18-hole golf courses.

·  The case for further sporting facilities of this nature in Milton Keynes

·  No negative impact on surrounding sports facilities, including new facilities in Tattenhoe Park

·  That Windmill Hill Golf Course is a suitable location for the proposed “sports hub” (as opposed to other locations in Milton Keynes e.g. Campbell Park).

·  Benefits of the commercial and sports facilities to local residents and to Milton Keynes overall.

·  That EVOLVE are the right company to take over the site.

·  That the impact on traffic congestion and demands on local services will be acceptable.

·  That complete re-landscaping of the site is necessary (as opposed to partial alterations).

·  That the “sports hub” is a viable proposition over the longer term.

 

The proposals seen by us seem to provide little benefit to local residents, or to the wider Milton Keynes. The case for the proposed new sports facilities has not been made or scrutinised. The main benefits seem to be a protected income source to MK Council through the grant of multiple leases, and commercial gains to the developer.

We the undersigned demand that:

1)   The golf course should not be sold or leased to any private developer.

2)   Windmill Hill Golf Course should remain as a municipal 18-hole course.

3)   Investment should be made in the Golf Course, focussed on improving the existing course and club house, to make it more attractive to a “cradle to grave” player base.

4)   The site should remain unfenced, as it has for 40 years.

5)   If a case is proven to justify the new sports facilities, these should be distributed around Milton Keynes in sites already earmarked for sports pavilions in order to minimise traffic congestion.