• The proposals have a number of benefits both to local people and the environment we all share.

    New trees, hedgerows and other planting will both screen the site visually, and improve local ecology and habitats for wildlife.

    A commitment to sourcing food and drink as locally as possible will support local suppliers and farms.

    Moving away from a membership system means that the new sports and leisure facilities will be available to all.

    Our investment into the club will also lead to more employment opportunities in the area, both in the development phase, and in operation.

    The economic profile of the National Park shows that improving the accommodation offer, for instance, would be beneficial as overnight visitors spend an estimated 75% more than day visitors to the Park.

  • Experienced and qualified ecologists will oversee the works, guided by new ecology reports. Works will be carefully coordinated and zoned to limit disturbance, and any site lights will be directed downwards to limit light pollution.

    The end result will be a more natural environment incorporating and supporting native species.

  • A construction management plan which will be agreed with the Highways Authority will cover a number of areas. These are likely to include ensuring that:

    • Construction vehicles leaving the site will be checked and will have their wheels cleaned if necessary

    • The driveway will be regularly swept to reduce the risk of dirt and debris getting on to the road

    • Construction traffic is limited to normal waking hours, and will not be permitted on Saturday afternoons, Sundays and bank holidays.

  • Planning authorities provide a pre-application advice service to offer informal advice on proposals for to ascertain whether they may be acceptable from a planning policy perspective. Pre-application requests are effectively a ‘sense checking’ service to help applicants understand what may be acceptable before further, more detailed work is carried out. The authority’s response will not prejudice any decisions that may be made on any future formal planning applications.

    360 Beech wanted to know if their vision for the site is achievable from a planning perspective to help inform our discussions with members.

  • The team has been working hard to pull the information together in time for the members’ consultation event to be able to clearly explain their vision for the site, which includes information over and above what had been submitted for the pre-application request. The latest information is available on this website.

  • 360 Beech bought Blacknest in October 2023 and are deeply committed to golf, hospitality, and sustainability. With decades of experience in managing golf, leisure, and hospitality businesses, we have worked with over 150 golf businesses worldwide and have successfully managed exceptional country inns like The Bel and The Dragon. This extensive experience provides us with a unique insight and the knowledge needed to create an outstanding golf and hospitality venue.

  • We would like to begin work on the site in early April to bring the irrigation up to scratch, as well as taking the opportunity to make other improvements and hope to begin a gradual reopening from spring 2025. Members will be invited to view the course improvements on specific days throughout the year and we will welcome their feedback.

  • We see 12-hole golf as a major part of the future of the game. It will encourage more people to take up the sport, as many people have less free time to play the 18-hole game. We believe 12 holes is the future of golf as it is more accessible, challenging and fun for golfers of all ages and abilities. The course will be two loops of six holes, so players wishing to play 18 holes can play 12 holes and then repeat one of the two loops.

  • We completed detailed audits of the golf course, irrigation and drainage systems which has highlighted some significant and urgent issues we need to address. These include safety issues; very limited drainage causing long periods of closure due to waterlogging; and an irrigation system that has been condemned as unsafe to use in its current condition. We have been advised that works must begin after as soon as possible in April 2024 in order to get the course back into play as quickly and efficiently as possible.

  • The existing Blacknest team will be crucial to the programme of works and their knowledge and experience of the course will be invaluable. The team will also ensure any existing planted memorial trees are identified to ensure they are looked after. A re-imagined course also allows us to make the best use of the land by also providing space for other facilities, as well as providing space for increased biodiversity and access to nature for local people.

  • Some of the marked trees are scheduled to be replanted, not felled. We have already seen this successfully undertaken at Blacknest in the past. For the remaining marked trees, we will be seeking a felling licence from the Forestry Commission for the thinning and removing of mainly non-native and sick trees to increase biodiversity and create natural habitat. These removals will be more than offset by the planting of replacement trees on site and by the extent of the other habitat creation across the site.

  • Due to the extent of the improvements, there will be disruption over many holes with noise of works and machinery, it would be dangerous to allow golfers partial access and will ultimately slow up works.

  • We’re committed to continuing the great tradition of competitions at Blacknest, including inter-venue competitions. We’ll also run competitions on an APP basis, so there is no requirement to turn up and join the competition at a specific time. You can play anytime on the day of the competition and log your score if you play on your own or with other golfers - it’s up to you. The competition results will then be available the next day. This is a more flexible playing approach which is in line with England Golf requirements.

  • We will be organising a number of annual fundraising events each year and will be grateful for any support from staff and golfers to ensure the charities benefit as much as possible.

  • All fixtures arranged prior to 1st April 2024 can go ahead as planned, and we’ll keep members updated about future fixtures that will return in 2025.

  • During the period of golf course closure, the Pro Shop will remain open to service the Driving Range and the 6-hole Academy course and for shop sales. There will be reduced hours during this time.

  • We are planning to make improvements including, but not limited to, heating, television screens, seating and food and drink facilities.

  • Blacknest members will be invited to be the first people to play and try out the new course, free of charge, when it opens in 2025.

  • While the course works are progressing, we will be delighted to welcome you to continue to visit us and will be continuing to offer the discount of 10% to use in the bar/restaurant, driving range or shop.

  • Members will have access as normal to the golf course until the end of the membership year on the 31st March 2024, so no refund will be necessary.

  • Although not a formal membership club, in 2025 we will be offering an option to purchase an annual pass to join Blacknest, on a flexible play basis not a fixed membership fee, including at a preferential rate for past members. We believe that this will give golfers an opportunity to save money on monthly fees and enable them to only pay when they have time to play, while simultaneously providing more facilities than currently available and making Blacknest a valuable community asset.

  • The Course was closed prior to our acquisition. Since acquisition we have been working on our design and planning application. Our application was completed in September 2023 and we are expecting a decision early in 2024.

  • They are remaining open.

  • As shown on the master plan it is proposed that the main park is relocated to nearer the site entrance.

  • Please refer to the detailed cabin layout on the master plan.

  • Continuing with the current membership system would not generate sufficient funding to prevent the course closing for good because of the substantial drainage and irrigation issues that require investment.

    The loss of membership income due to course closure is a significant, but an accepted cost of the course improvement works.

  • We hope not. Current members will be more than welcome to enjoy the bar/restaurant, driving range, pro shop and other facilities until the new course opens – and to take advantage of their 10% discount. They’ll be the first to try the new course and we hope they’ll continue to support the club in the future.

  • We know players will always want to make the most of the longer days of summer but starting work in April is preferrable because of the length of time it takes for new planting to bed in. The teams working on the course configuration will be able to make better progress over the summer months, meaning the new course will be available as quickly as possible.

  • We can’t say what issues other clubs may or may not have. But Blacknest sits on clay at the bottom of a valley.

  • We’ll be happy to share the drainage and irrigation proposals once they have been finalised.

  • We want to make Blacknest a much more inclusive environment for fans of golf of all ages and abilities, and believe – as do many others – that the 12-hole game provides the right balance for many more people to enjoy.

  • We don’t think that would be possible as it would be too visually intrusive within the National Park.