Fears are growing that a Stockport golf club formed in 1910 could be 'finished' if plans to build on part of its land move ahead.

Houldsworth Golf Club in Reddish has more than 500 members according to its directors, who said there is a steady flow of people wanting to join.

But some land at the club covering most of the car park and some of its green course has been earmarked for 122 homes in Stockport Council's draft local plan.

The local plan is a document outlining the future of development in the borough up to 2042.

Government targets given to Stockport mean the borough needs to build 25,000 new homes in that time, and the council has been looking for places to put them all.

The situation has caused alarm about whether some of Stockport's green spaces such as Houldsworth Golf Club could end up being built on.

David Conville, 63, is a director at Houldsworth Golf Club and has been involved for the last six years.

He said the loss of most of the car park and some of the golf course would put the club's future at risk.

Houldsworth Golf Club in Reddish (Image - Google Maps)

"We are not a stereotypical golf club," he explained. "It's mostly run by volunteers, it's not like with paid staff, and most of our volunteers live within half a mile of the club.

"It's the second most densely populated area in Stockport, and they want to ram houses here.

"The club would die a slow death, and then they'd want to build on everything else that's left.

"A lot of people who use this might have to stop playing golf and give it up. It would just be destroying a local amenity for the community, it would finish us."

One of the main areas of the golf club is its function room, which is used for events such as funerals and wedding receptions.

The club said it gets around 3,500 visitors a year, but the housing plans would be based on part of its car park, its directors said.

Bosses said this would mean the loss of more than 100 parking bays in total, leaving just 13 or 14 left. They also said it would affect three holes of the 18-hole golf course.

Adding to their frustrations, they said they only found out about the plans due to a social media post, and were not contacted by the council before the draft local plan was shared.

The club owns some of the land and has a long-term lease on other parts of it, the directors explained.

Houldsworth Golf Club has submitted a letter of objection to Stockport council about the housing plans.

Steve Henderson, 62, is another director at the club and has been involved for 13 years.

He added: "We just could not have the functions if these plans go ahead, it destroys our function business.

"We have a lot of older members who use this as their exercise. These things all together [would] just make our club not viable.

"We understand the pressure the council is under and what they're trying to do with housing. We've made it clear that the club is not for sale. We're hoping they will just take it off the table altogether."

Stockport council's draft local plan went out to consultation in November and December, where residents had a chance to shape the document.

Stockport town hall, where Stockport Council sits (Image - Nub News)

These comments are now being considered by the town hall before the local plan moves forward.

Rachel Wise is a councillor for the Reddish North ward. She said the best outcome would be 'if an alternative site could be found to build the much-needed homes' for the area.

She added: "Reddish North is the second most densely packed ward in the borough (after Edgeley) and green space is vital. Where it's being used in a responsible and community-focused way, as Houldsworth Golf Club do, its loss would be significant.

"If the council insists on retaining the site in the local plan allocations list, it threatens the future of a club with a proud history and otherwise stable future. And it's frustrating for local residents to hear about the potential loss of a well-used facility when the former Fir Tree pub site on the main road has sat idle for 5 years.

"Stockport needs new homes but there's a definite feeling that Reddish has missed out where other parts of the borough have seen investment.

"The local plan covers more than just housing and people here want a commitment to improve library facilities and increase community space. There is an opportunity here for the council to set out a vision for a thriving Reddish, with facilities to match its growing population."

Stockport council is led by the Lib Dems under a minority administration.

"We have been clear as Liberal Democrats from the outset of this draft local plan that it is not the plan we wanted to move forward with," said Coun Jake Austin, the cabinet member for housing in Stockport.

"The Labour government's decision to double Stockport's housing target, redefine green belt, and intervene on our draft local plan will have major consequences on the borough.

"We have already seen this in the sites that have come forward. It is why, as an administration, we have consistently lobbied the government to allow us to protect our community's open spaces."

Cllr Austin described the government's actions in Stockport as a 'land-grab', and explained that the draft local plan would be updated following the public consultation in December.

He added: "This includes the required infrastructure for included sites and their communities, alongside any additional evidence that has been brought forward as part of the consultation.

"We will continue to fight for the voice of our residents and communities, including Houldsworth Golf Club, throughout this process."

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