In January, the cabinet of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council agreed to further investigate plans to move golf facilities from Basingstoke Golf Centre to Down Grange.

The plans under consideration include creating a six-hole pitch and putt course, which could be expanded into a 12-hole course by using dual tees.

A golf training and practice pod could also be installed at the sports complex to replace the current driving range on a smaller scale.

These plans aim to make golf accessible for people of all ages as a way to either start the sport, improve their skills, or enjoy as a family activity.

Down Grange Sports Complex. (Image: Stewart Turkington)The council is also exploring ideas to set up new adventure golf facilities at the leisure park.

The community can learn more about these plans and share their views at a drop-in session from 3pm to 8pm on Wednesday, September 10, at St Mark’s Church in Homesteads Road.

For more information, visit basingstoke.gov.uk/golf-centre-future.

These proposals follow the council’s agreement of a conditional land deal in July 2024 for Great Wolf Resorts to build an indoor water park resort next to the leisure park, subject to planning permission.

This is after the major US-based leisure operator identified an interest in bringing one of its family attractions to Basingstoke

Cllr Kerry Morrow, cabinet member for sports, leisure and culture, said: “We absolutely recognise that this is a complex and sensitive proposal and we have been listening to what the community has been telling us.

“The feedback we have collected so far has helped us to shape our proposals and we want to show our initial concept designs to residents and users of Down Grange to understand their views on them and explore further opportunities to enhance the site.”

The council has been conducting further investigation, including surveys and preparing initial designs for the proposals, since the decision.

The feedback collected during the drop-in session will help shape the final designs before a planning application is submitted later this year.

Cllr Morrow added: “I want to thank everyone who has shared their views with us already and I look forward to speaking with more members of the community at our drop-in session to shape our proposals.”