Selston golf course opened as a nature reserve

A golf course which was costing Ashfield District Council tens-of-thousands of pounds a year has been turned into a nature reserve.
Selston Golf Course has now been turned into a nature reserve. Pictured are Dawn Justice, Sam Wilson and Stuart Fletcher.Selston Golf Course has now been turned into a nature reserve. Pictured are Dawn Justice, Sam Wilson and Stuart Fletcher.
Selston Golf Course has now been turned into a nature reserve. Pictured are Dawn Justice, Sam Wilson and Stuart Fletcher.

Golf stopped being played at Selston Golf Course in the new year after it was revealed to be costing the council £63,000 in operating costs a year.  

The land on Alfreton Road, Selston, is leased to Ashfield District Council but owned by Nottinghamshire County Council

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The par 3 golf course was well maintained up until its closure but has now been taken over by natural grasses and wildflowers. 

Chairman Sam Wilson, Ashfield District Council member and Chairman of Selston Parish Council said: “I walked around it yesterday (Wednesday, June, 13) and I was quite surprised how nature has come through already. I even saw ducklings wondering through the grounds, it is a pleasant walk.”

The parish council is looking into taking over the now-closed cafe on the site. 

Coun Wilson has said there are more wildflowers which will be set later on in the year.

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He said: “We will also be looking to work with schools to get them to make and put up bird and bat boxes and to also come down as part of their environmental studies.”

He also said the new reserve is looking popular with dog walkers and it still has a carpark.

Councillor Dave Martin, Nottinghamshire County Councillor for the area has said the parish does not need any more places to walk dogs.

He said: “I am disappointed by the change, the previous administration of the district council did not didn’t manage properly as business.

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“The golf course won a Green Flag Award now it is long grass. Some people will like it - some will miss golf course, but we are surrounded by countryside here we don’t need extra dog walking spaces. We have 14 recreational parks in Selston.

“The older generation certainly miss it, but it always closed at half four so people who work never got opportunity to use it.”

He said he is now trying to get the county council to sell the land to a private business or have it leased for 150-years to be reinstated as a golf course.

He said: “The land will only be a community park in the interim period.”