There are, at present, two public golf courses in Bath - at Entry Hill and on High Common. Both have been closed during the pandemic, but Entry Hill was already something of a white elephant, used by only a handful of people and requiring constant subsidies. The Approach Courses on High Common, though more popular, have only made a profit in 1 year out of the last 10. Research shows that the number of golfers under the age of 40 has dropped over the last decade. By contrast, interest in the environment, and an understanding of how helping wildlife helps the planet has grown. Wild places such as Primrose Hill Woodland, the Skyline walk and the Cotswold Way have been very busy during the pandemic, used by all age groups.

Entry Hill is the perfect place for an urban wildlife reserve. High Common, with its springs and trees,could have at least one course rewilded, with bunkers converted to ponds and a wildflower meadow planted on its slopes. Tarmac paths could be replaced with softer, environmentally friendly surfaces. The other course could and should be managed so that it becomes an exemplar of how to create eco-friendly golf courses. Let's return the views of High Common to the style of Rus in Urbe intended by the Georgian developers.

These spaces would be eco-friendly, educational and be of benefit to Bath people and visitors, young and old. This petition calls on B&NES Council to consider this idea.