A NEW country park could be created in Christchurch using the Two Riversmeet Golf Course and land stretching to Stanpit Recreation Ground.

A report going to the community committee next Wednesday lays out proposals to turn the 15-hectare site, which includes the golf course and Ashtree Meadow, into a park for recreation.

If approved, the golf course would be converted to public open space. Financially, it currently breaks even, the council say, with golfers able to use their second course, the Play Golf Centre near Iford, should the proposals get the go-ahead.

Work to change the site would include secure funding, creation of new paths, benches, a fitness trail, play sculptures and an education trail.

At Ashtree Meadow, a pond would be built with extra benches as well.

The existing visitor centre would act as an information and education point.

The report to next week's meeting also says activities would include walking, family outings to the picnic shelter and play sculptures, fitness, environmental education, active volunteering, wildlife spotting and guided walks.

It is just a few years since the golf course was refurbished and reduced in size to the cost of £22,600.

The plan to turn the golf course into a country park was also mooted as part of plans to demolish the civic offices and create a marina of housing, shops and a new park.

Within those draft proposal, which were revealed by the Daily Echo at the time, were the plans for the golf course.

A report to members said: "Although the course would be an inevitable loss to those that use it, there is the opportunity to use the area for a wider range of activities so users of the leisure centre and the wider public can enjoy the open space and recreational benefits there."

If approved, the park could be built by April 2019.

A change of use application would designate the land as SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace). And the council has dismissed concerns about existing covenants on the land which restrict the use of building.

The report said: "...as the proposals do not seek to do this, the advice is that the council is clear to proceed with the country park proposal."

Cllr Margaret Phipps, committee chairman, said: “The proposals are potentially very exciting and it’s not every day that a council is able to embark on creating a new park.

"There is huge potential here for a great recreational space for residents, coupled with the opportunity to improve biodiversity and wildlife habitats.

"Natural England have said that they are supportive of the council’s approach to this project, and if the committee decides that this should go ahead, we must ensure that we maintain the correct balance of activities there so that local people can enjoy it without there being any harmful impacts on the environment."

David Barnes, strategic director, said: “There are not many local councils in the country who own two golf courses, so although golfers will lose Two Riversmeet they do have another facility on the doorstep. The Leisure Centre has over 1500 members and the Council have written to the 14 Members signed up exclusively for golf to inform them of the possibility that the course could be closed."