As previously reported, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) revealed details in 2025 of its plans to relocate the mini-golf and driving facilities from its current location at Basingstoke Golf Centre to land at the Leisure Park.

It came after a campaign was launched against original plans to move the facilities, along with a six-hole pitch and putt golf course, to Down Grange. This followed an agreement-in-principle made between BDBC and Great Wolf to build a new water park and 500-bedroom resort hotel on the site of the golf centre.

While plans for a new pitch and putt facility are still up in the air, the council’s cabinet will decide whether to approve the proposals for the adventure golf and driving pods in a meeting on Tuesday, January 6.

The current Knights Realm Adventure Golf when it opened back in 2019. Image: Stewart Turkington www.stphotos.co.uk

The motion, titled Reprovision of Golf Facilities, includes a report detailing the council’s updated strategy to re-provide golfing facilities, should the existing Basingstoke Golf Centre be redeveloped by Great Wolf Resorts.

The council’s preferred option would see a new modern golf-pod style driving range and adventure golf facility located on the Plateau Site at the Leisure Park.

The recommendation for the cabinet is:

  • To select the Leisure Park as the preferred location of a golf pod-style driving range, adventure golf course, and ancillary facilities to meet an equivalent golf reprovision need, subject to the council obtaining any necessary planning permission(s).
  • To commit to continue to explore suitable sites across the borough for the provision of a new pitch and putt course.

BDBC says it will continue to consider “the right longer-term location for a new pitch-and-putt course.” Councillors on the Resident Services Committee will review the investigation work carried out to date and share their views on how a new pitch-and-putt course could be best provided in the borough for the future.

Cabinet member for sports, leisure and culture, Cllr Kerry Morrow, said: “As a Cabinet we are committed to investing in our excellent sporting facilities across the borough to support grassroot sports and to ensure everyone across the borough has plenty of opportunities to participate in a variety of sports.

“In my role as the Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, I am passionate about helping our residents to live healthy and active lives through a wide range of sports and leisure activities.

“Following the agreement with Great Wolf Resorts to build a new indoor waterpark resort on the site of the existing Basingstoke Golf Centre (subject to planning approval), I have been keen to protect these valued entry-level and affordable golf facilities that introduce people to the game, provide activities for families and support the wellbeing of our residents. I would like to thank the team that, over the past 18 months, has thoroughly investigated the options to re-provide these golf facilities, including the preparation of proposals for Down Grange.

“The views of our residents are really important to us and that is why we have sought views on our initial ideas from the local community, clubs and other key partners before any committed decisions were taken. We’ve heard how much Down Grange means to our community as well as stories of how the golf centre has helped nurture local talent and supported people in staying active and healthy.

“Together with Cabinet, I have listened to the feedback received from extensive engagement and this has shaped our next steps. We have identified a way forward to provide two of the most well-used elements from the existing golf centre as soon as possible at the leisure park.

“This includes a modern driving range, utilising the latest technology, and an 18-hole adventure golf course which would protect facilities for people looking to get into the sport and practice their skills and create a new leisure experience for people of all ages visiting the leisure park.

“This approach will enable Great Wolf Resorts to progress its proposals for an indoor waterpark resort which would provide additional leisure activities for families, create hundreds of new jobs and bring substantial economic benefits to the town, subject to getting planning permission.

“The next step would see detailed designs prepared for the new driving range and adventure golf course at the leisure park before a planning application is submitted.”