Darlington golf club merger delayed by review

7:00am Thursday 28th February 2013 in News Photograph of the Author Exclusive By Andy Walker, Chief Reporter (Darlington)

PLANS to merge two neighbouring golf clubs are to be delayed after the decision to press ahead with the proposal was ‘called in’ for scrutiny.

Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet last week agreed to combine the privately-run Blackwell Grange Golf Club and municipal Stressholme Golf Course.

The controversial deal involves the sale of land at Stressholme and could see a future executive housing development on part of the current Blackwell site.

Conservatives on the Labour-run council have asked for the decision to be looked into further and it will be considered by the efficiency and resources scrutiny committee shortly.

It is understood the reasons for the call-in are twofold: questions over the £750,000 sale value of the Stressholme land, which could potentially command a higher premium if sold as a development site and how the merged club will be managed.

The council’s auditors, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, will participate in the scrutiny process.

Earlier this week, Darlington accountant Clive Owen, who lives close to Blackwell Grange, wrote to councillors calling for a six-month review of the proposals.

Councillor Alan Coultas, who signed the call-in papers on behalf of the Conservative group, said: “This had been on our minds for some time.

“We are aware of some of the comments that have arisen from members of the public and I think these considerations should be available to the scrutiny committee, so we can review this decision then come to a view.”

Council leader Bill Dixon has accused the Tories of political posturing and questioned why the call-in decision was taken so late in the process.

He said: “This will not affect the project; it is just annoying that the councillors concerned have had months to call this in.

“None of them have raised any objections or offered alternatives as to how we could make the savings that we need to.

“They seem to have waited until the process has run its course and jumped up at the last minute.”

Councillor Heather Scott, leader of the Conservative group, rejected accusations of posturing, saying that a call-in could only take place once a decision had been made.

She said: “We have to make sure that the council tax payers of Darlington get the best value possible.”

Comments (12)

7:32am Thu 28 Feb 13

Quaker Boy says...

As usual when Dixon doesn't get his own way he has a rant and blames everyone else.

£750k for land where it doesn't seem much to me if you consider the potential for houses to be built and the cost each could be sold for.
As usual when Dixon doesn't get his own way he has a rant and blames everyone else. £750k for land where it doesn't seem much to me if you consider the potential for houses to be built and the cost each could be sold for. Quaker Boy

7:37am Thu 28 Feb 13

Darloresident says...

Just as well Clive Owen is a well respected local accountant..The issue of value for money on this sale has been raised several times by concerned residents and had thus far been ignored by the council.
It just shows how squeeky bummed the cabinet are when it comes up against someone who has all the right knowledge,contacts and expertise to potentially expose the at best slap dash way the sale is being handled or at worst the fishy aroma that has surrounded this sale from the time the £750.000 fee was announced...Bill Dixon should be welcoming the scrutiny not criticising it..
Just as well Clive Owen is a well respected local accountant..The issue of value for money on this sale has been raised several times by concerned residents and had thus far been ignored by the council. It just shows how squeeky bummed the cabinet are when it comes up against someone who has all the right knowledge,contacts and expertise to potentially expose the at best slap dash way the sale is being handled or at worst the fishy aroma that has surrounded this sale from the time the £750.000 fee was announced...Bill Dixon should be welcoming the scrutiny not criticising it.. Darloresident

12:37pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Spy Boy says...

If we must sell off our valuable assetts in this time of crisis, then we must get the best deal for the town and it's residents. Surely the land should go to auction and a fully detailed sale package should be issued to interested parties. That way, we should be able to raise more than the paltry £750K that is being bandied about.
If we must sell off our valuable assetts in this time of crisis, then we must get the best deal for the town and it's residents. Surely the land should go to auction and a fully detailed sale package should be issued to interested parties. That way, we should be able to raise more than the paltry £750K that is being bandied about. Spy Boy

2:00pm Thu 28 Feb 13

still here says...

Hmmm. The land for the Darlington Arena was also sold quickly and cheaply for £150,000.
Hmmm. The land for the Darlington Arena was also sold quickly and cheaply for £150,000. still here

2:33pm Thu 28 Feb 13

still here says...

Hmmm. The land for the Darlington Arena was also sold quickly and cheaply for £150,000.
Hmmm. The land for the Darlington Arena was also sold quickly and cheaply for £150,000. still here

4:50pm Thu 28 Feb 13

golf4all says...

First of all this is not a merger.Blackwell Grange will TAKE OVER Stressholme and run it as a private club
Secondly in the last year figures are available, to April 2012, Stressholme lost £260,000 according to DBC's own website. That is £5000 every week.Neither of these Golf Clubs has sufficient members to be viable and even if all the members join the new club the annual fee will need to be high enough to pay the cost of running it. Probably around £600.The simple fact is that if this does not proceed both clubs will quickly go out of business,which will benefit Darlington Golf Club and Dinsdale Spa, both of which are struggling for numbers. If the Council doesn't get it's collective finger out then I'd suggest BGGC members start looking for other options.
First of all this is not a merger.Blackwell Grange will TAKE OVER Stressholme and run it as a private club Secondly in the last year figures are available, to April 2012, Stressholme lost £260,000 according to DBC's own website. That is £5000 every week.Neither of these Golf Clubs has sufficient members to be viable and even if all the members join the new club the annual fee will need to be high enough to pay the cost of running it. Probably around £600.The simple fact is that if this does not proceed both clubs will quickly go out of business,which will benefit Darlington Golf Club and Dinsdale Spa, both of which are struggling for numbers. If the Council doesn't get it's collective finger out then I'd suggest BGGC members start looking for other options. golf4all

5:35pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Crash bang wallop says...

the reality of it is mr owen doesnt want any new developments overlooking his leafy West End mansion. darlington has long had too many golf courses which has meant all them have struggled to be commercially sustainable so one less will benefit both darlington and dinsdale g.c in hopefully securing their future. in terms of value the land isnt worth much if there are covenants stating that they cannot be used for any other use or they are swll on clauses in any agreement.
the reality of it is mr owen doesnt want any new developments overlooking his leafy West End mansion. darlington has long had too many golf courses which has meant all them have struggled to be commercially sustainable so one less will benefit both darlington and dinsdale g.c in hopefully securing their future. in terms of value the land isnt worth much if there are covenants stating that they cannot be used for any other use or they are swll on clauses in any agreement. Crash bang wallop

6:38pm Thu 28 Feb 13

Lawman3 says...

Who will be paying Price Waterhouse Cooper's fees? The council tax payers no doubt.
Who will be paying Price Waterhouse Cooper's fees? The council tax payers no doubt. Lawman3

7:49pm Thu 28 Feb 13

golf4all says...

One hopes that messrs Clive Owen and Peter Rowley were not amongst those residents who used to complain about getting golf balls in their gardens and are now wetting themselves at the prospect of NOT having a golf course to overlook.
One hopes that messrs Clive Owen and Peter Rowley were not amongst those residents who used to complain about getting golf balls in their gardens and are now wetting themselves at the prospect of NOT having a golf course to overlook. golf4all

8:01pm Thu 28 Feb 13

oliviaden6 says...

Now lets get this sorted in favour for the everyday golfer who cant afford the costs of the private courses. If the sale goes ahead lets have a decent costing to be agreed by all, not agreed by a nod and a wink???
Now lets get this sorted in favour for the everyday golfer who cant afford the costs of the private courses. If the sale goes ahead lets have a decent costing to be agreed by all, not agreed by a nod and a wink??? oliviaden6

8:13pm Thu 28 Feb 13

gramps427 says...

Is it even possible for land falling outside of the A66 by pass to be built on under current planning rules? After all to build on Stressholme would be to create a new village practically. Common sense would suggest you put new house's for rich people next to other rich people and not destroy a green belt.
Is it even possible for land falling outside of the A66 by pass to be built on under current planning rules? After all to build on Stressholme would be to create a new village practically. Common sense would suggest you put new house's for rich people next to other rich people and not destroy a green belt. gramps427

8:34pm Thu 28 Feb 13

golf4all says...

Unfortunately golf is like most other things in life If you want to indulge in them you have to pay what it costs. The "everyday" golfer joining a club at six hundred pounds a year and playing twice a week will be paying just under six pounds a round. That seems to be pretty good value compared to Stressholme's sixteen pounds a round.When Councils start pretending they can provide "cheap" facilities you end up with the ratepayers who don't play golf having to pay quarter of a million pounds to subsidise the few who do, like at Stressholme.
Unfortunately golf is like most other things in life If you want to indulge in them you have to pay what it costs. The "everyday" golfer joining a club at six hundred pounds a year and playing twice a week will be paying just under six pounds a round. That seems to be pretty good value compared to Stressholme's sixteen pounds a round.When Councils start pretending they can provide "cheap" facilities you end up with the ratepayers who don't play golf having to pay quarter of a million pounds to subsidise the few who do, like at Stressholme. golf4all

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