A GOLF club is to vote on proposals from a developer to relocate their entire facilities in return for a ‘substantial sum of money.’

Darlington Golf Club has called an extraordinary general meeting of its members to discuss proposals from a developer to move from their Haughton Grange site.

The meeting was announced in a letter to the club’s members which said: “The purpose of the meeting is to vote that evening on a proposal from a developer to relocate our entire facilities together with a substantial sum of money in exchange for the land owned by Darlington Golf Club.

“The proposal presents an opportunity for Darlington Golf Club to invest in the future, albeit with extensive consequences.

“A presentation of the proposal and a ballot will take place on the evening and we would appreciate a good attendance.”

The club, which was founded in 1908, was recently awarded a £57,000 Sport England grant to invest in an all-weather practice and coaching area, including an eight bay driving range.

One member, who wished to remain anonymous, said the announcement was a surprise.

“It has come very much out of the blue, especially with the recent planning permission for the driving range,” he said.

“The feeling is that if it does go down to a member’s vote I do not think they will vote for it.

“If they are offered a massive lump sum there isn’t enough land in Darlington to build a new golf course.

“It is hard to see where they would be able to build a new course in Darlington.”

He said members feared that if the move did go ahead, the club could be forced to move in with the town’s Blackwell Grange Golf Club, which recently merged with the local authority-run Stressholme Golf Course.

He added: “Some clubs are always under threat from housing developments but it has never been.

“It isn’t something that has come up before. Members were quite upbeat and looking forward to a bright future.”

A spokeswoman for the club said it would not be appropriate to comment any further ahead of the meeting.

The meeting will be held at the club from 7.30pm on Thursday, October 8.