“Cor, bloody hell!” – one golf course campaigner’s frustrated response as Milton Keynes Council leader is put in the hot seat

As the council closes in on a January decision on the future of Windmill Hill Golf Course, four residents took it in turns to grill Cllr Pete Marland (Lab, Wolverton) over the issue.

One of the campaigners was so frustrated with an answer where Cllr Marland declined to seek three quotes for the future of the course that he exclaimed “Cor, bloody hell!”

At Wednesday’s full council, Alan Hastings said: “My impression is that so far the council has only approached one company and they must require at least three tenders.

“What others approached or will be approached?”

Cllr Marland replied: “The council is under no obligation to do that, so long as we get best value for the asset.”

At which Mr Hastings exclaimed: “Cor, bloody hell!”

Cllr Marland also revealed that the council has engaged a golf course specialist, and a property expert to help it look into the issues and to explore “all commercial options.”

The full council has supported a motion to “deliver for golfers”, including a call to keep an 18 hole course at the site.

Campaigners believe that the course can make money but Cllr Marland said Windmill Hill would be technically insolvent if it wasn’t run by the council and is losing around £150,000 a year.

“It is unlikely that a golf course of this nature could be sold as a going concern,” he said.

Plans have been drawn up for the future of the course and the company involved in that, Evolve, has carried out a public consultation.

Cllr Marland said: “We have requested that from Evolve and we are waiting to do that.

“it will be shared either before or during when the decision is taken in January,” he added.