Fairway or driveway? The furious debate over building houses on golf courses

As drivers honk their horns, a group of demonstrators line the roadside. One sign, etched in white chalk, reads: “Beep if you want to save our green spaces.” Another features hand-drawn foxgloves, hedgehogs, and birds, stating: “We need homes too!” The gathering is organized by Protect Enderby and Narborough Green Spaces, a local group opposing plans to construct up to 800 homes, some of which would be built on Enderby Golf Course. The project is part of Blaby District Council’s evolving Local Plan, a blueprint guiding future housing development. Yet the proposal has sparked widespread opposition: thousands have signed a petition calling for a reconsideration of the plan.

A Community’s Fight for Green Space

Chris D’Araujo, who oversees the Enderby Golf Course, highlights its significance. “It’s only a nine-hole course, which is why many people cherish it here—it feels like half a golf course,” he explains. “It’s ideal for newcomers or retirees who don’t need the rugged terrain of a private course. We serve a vital role in the community.” For him, losing the course would be a regrettable step. “This would be the last place you’d choose if you had to,” Chris says, emphasizing the site’s value.

The council contends that the land earmarked for development, including the golf course, could help meet its annual target of 654 new homes by 2042. Officials describe the project as a chance to create a “sustainable community” with public green spaces and “affordable housing” options. However, they acknowledge that the decision will weigh “public amenity” against housing needs during the planning process.

Land Use in a Housing Crisis

The UK, home to roughly a quarter of Europe’s golf courses, faces pressure to boost housing supply. The government aims to build 1.5 million new homes in England over five years, equivalent to 300,000 to 370,000 annually. In England alone, golf courses occupy about 270,000 hectares, roughly 2% of the nation’s total land area—comparable to the space used for domestic buildings.

Gavin Anderson of England Golf notes a surge in proposals to convert golf course land into residential areas. “There’s been a notable increase in planning applications involving partial or full loss of golf facilities,” he says, attributing this trend to the strategic location of many courses. Custodian Golf consultancy adds that nearly 20% of clubs are financially vulnerable, a factor that may sway decisions to repurpose land.

Changing Tides in Golf Demographics

Golf has traditionally been seen as a sport for the affluent, with older demographics dominating membership. However, this perception is evolving. Chris, who has played at Enderby for 35 years, shares a shift in the course’s user base. “Before the pandemic, the average golfer here was around 60, but now the age range is much younger,” he explains. “Many players are in their 20s or younger.” The municipal nature of the course—owned by the council and open to all—makes it accessible, with a weekend nine-hole round costing £12 for adults.

Private clubs, in contrast, often require membership fees ranging from £200 to £3,870 annually, according to a survey of 79 clubs across ten UK regions. Despite these costs, Anderson argues that golf is becoming more inclusive. “The myth of exclusivity isn’t fully accurate,” he says, though challenges like price and perception still linger. Membership numbers in English clubs rose from 730,602 in 2024 to 750,071 in 2025, with junior memberships increasing by over 34% in the same period.

Who’s Right? The Green Space Dilemma

With the UK’s housing demand outpacing available land, the debate over golf course development intensifies. Are these greens the right places for new housing, or are they just easy targets for developers? The discussion reflects a broader tension between preserving open spaces and meeting the needs of a growing population, as councils scramble to balance urban growth with environmental concerns.