VETERAN golfers are outraged part of their beloved course could be lost under controversial plans for a new secondary school.
Members of the Bromley Veterans' Golf Club say adhering to planning rules which restrict building on green belt land would spell disaster for three "irreplaceable" holes on the Magpie Hall Lane course.
The members spoke out after Government planning inspector Rodney Baker wrote to the council saying no "exceptional circumstances" exist to take the Blue Circle site out of the green belt.
This could make building the new school on the Magpie Hall Lane site more likely, although the decision on last year's planning inquiry is not due until next month.
The inquiry in November and December looked at the green belt issue as well as two appeals against the refusal of planning permission for the Blue Circle and Magpie Hall Lane sites. Mayor of London Ken Livingstone directed Bromley Council to turn down both proposals.
Referring to the contents of Mr Baker's letter, Les Dutton, treasurer of the veterans' club, which plays at Bromley Golf Club, said: "It will put increasing pressure on the already over-stretched public sector, as well as destroying this historic golf club."
April 29, 2003 10:30
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