THE IMPORTANCE of Newbold Comyn to residents has been made clear to council chiefs.
Warwick District Council launched a public consultation in August on the future for the 300-acre country park in Leamington following the closure of the golf course at the end of 2017.
There were more than 3,000 responses – the overwhelming number of which “clearly demonstrated” how valuable the park was to the district.
The council is now working with consultants Sports Leisure Culture Consulting on a number of options which are expected to be made public in the new year. They would then be subject to a further consultation to allow residents the chance to shape the future of Newbold Comyn, which includes the Leam Valley Nature Reserve.
District culture spokesman Coun Michael Coker said: “We received an overwhelming and unprecedented response to the survey of Newbold Comyn which proves how valuable our parks and open spaces are to you, and I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to share their views and comments.
“We have dedicated more time than expected to review and analyse the responses and to ensure that this study fully reflects the information we have received.
“I look forward to sharing our update with residents and visitors in the New Year to ensure that more people can access this valued resource and secure its sustainable future.”
The golf course closed after former management company Mack Golf withdrew from its contract.
The course, which makes up a large part of the 120 hectare country park, has remained unplayed since, although council chiefs agreed in March to spend £50,000 maintaining it while not in use.
But with a decline in the number of golfers using the course its future hangs in the balance and there is no guarantee the fairways and greens will ever be played again.
Re-opening the 45-year-old course had not however been ruled out when the consultation was launched in the summer.
But council chiefs were quick to rule out any sort of housing development at the park.
