We are pleased to share with you our ideas for
the next chapter for Blacknest.
Introduction
Since 360 Beech Ltd acquired the Blacknest club in October last year, we have been carefully considering how we can create a sustainable and vibrant future for the club, while protecting and enhancing the landscape and environment of the South Downs National Park.
Importantly, we need to invest substantial sums to update the failed irrigation system and limited drainage. Without this, we believe there is no sustainable, long-term future for the club.
We are drawing up plans which will allow people to visit and enjoy the National Park and experience the landscape, wildlife and sense of place, while respecting the surrounding natural environment.
In updating the golfing offer to take into account these important ecological considerations, we will be able to create more space for nature in England’s newest National Park.
In proposing to reinvigorate our sport, leisure and eco-friendly accommodation offerings, we aim to provide outstanding facilities for all to enjoy at an inclusive, family friendly high-quality visitor destination, while also freeing up space for nature.
Our vision
The 360 team are serious about golf, serious about sustainability, and serious about hospitality. We believe a redesigned golf course, together with a series of other improvements at Blacknest, will create an exceptional National Park golf experience.
Sustainability
A key focus is sustainability – both for the club and for the special environment in which it is set. We propose extensive new areas for tree planting and scrub habitats.
New grassland will create a vibrant habitat for wildlife, and woodland and hedgerow expansion will help replace many ageing trees. This expansion looks back to the history of the area as a once royal hunting forest, while respecting the wider wooded landscapes and hillsides of the area.
Golf
Designed by world-renowned course designer Tom Mackenzie, the new golf course, featuring a broader and more exciting mix of holes, will allow large areas of the site to be returned to wildlife and species-rich habitats. These holes will celebrate the wider landscape around them and create a more natural National Park golf experience than the previous design. A commitment to the reduction of chemicals in golf green and fairway management is also planned.
The new Blacknest will cater for golfers of all kinds. The reconfigured course will cater for those who are unable to commit the time to a full 18-hole experience and will offer the opportunity to play either six or twelve holes. At the same time, it will still be possible to complete 18 holes by playing an additional one of the two six-hole loops.
Hospitality
We envisage an eco-friendly woodland stay experience, where guests will enjoy high-quality cabins. These cabins will be located to offer privacy and seclusion, while also remaining close to the main hub of facilities and wedding venue.
We will also ensure Blacknest provides high-quality food and drink, and will enhance our offering for weddings and other events.
Golf
We are pleased to be working with world-renowned golf course architect Tom Mackenzie of Mackenzie & Ebert.
The course currently suffers from a failed irrigation system and limited drainage.
Tom’s course design will include a new drainage and irrigation system without which the existing club would be forced to close permanently. The design will also address important driving range safety issues. We believe Tom’s expertise will ensure that Blacknest is not only fit for the future, but at the cutting-edge of the sport.
Tom’s expertise is inspired by the evolution of golf. Once a traditional game, it is now entering a new era. Presenting a different way of playing golf, his designs create a game which is more inclusive, sustainable and accessible to those of us who are time-poor.
Course reconfiguration helps to address the design weaknesses commonly associated with unsustainable golf courses, such as poor irrigation and drainage, which can be disruptive to play and the natural surroundings.
To help ensure that golf thrives in the future, a remodelling of the golfing experience at Blacknest is essential.
Our plans include the introduction of an outstanding 12-hole golf course, comprising two six-hole loops, to allow six, 12 and 18 rounds.
Read more about 12 Hole Golf Here
Blacknest will still offer golfers an inclusive friendly community, but rather than a traditional membership, we will widen golf’s appeal by offering an annual pass on a flexible play basis, including preferential rates for existing members.
We are committed to continuing the great tradition of competitions on the new course at Blacknest. You will also be able to maintain a handicap and play in club competitions, as well as matches against other clubs.
The clubhouse, pro-shop and driving range will all remain open throughout 2024 and members will continue to receive their 10% discount while the course works are carried out. These facilities will also receive further significant investment.
Space for nature
There are many opportunities for enhancing the biodiversity and sustainability of the club. Together with course reconfiguration, they are essential to help ensure that Blacknest thrives for years to come in a changing climate.
Non-native conifers will be removed, and in their place will be more native planting, bunding and fencing. New planting will increase the extent of woodland around the clubhouse and car park which will better conceal existing and proposed development.
Sweet Chestnut, Birch, Oak and Field Maple and other local species will be planted to enhance the landscape character of the area. Additional European apple and pear trees will provide colourful and scented blossoms in spring.
Through the restoration and enhancement of existing habitats, the creation of new wildlife habitats, and the establishment of linkages between sites, the project aims to strengthen local and regional ecological networks.
The anticipated outcome is not only the revival of natural habitats but also the establishment of a balanced and resilient ecosystem that supports the return of diverse and noteworthy species, such as the barn owl, great spotted woodpecker, white admiral butterfly, otter, dormouse, water shrew and kestrel.
The restoration and improvement of the site’s water courses will have a beneficial impact on the overall water quality in the surrounding area.
A comprehensive habitat restoration plan will see:
– A reduction in heavily managed grassland
– An increase in species-dense grassland, scrub, and woodland
– Improved connectivity for wildlife to surrounding areas such as the Blacknest Fields.
Hospitality
Permission has already been granted for a number of cabins to be located at the club and we are proposing to seek approval to increase this to provide further high-quality, eco-friendly accommodation to enhance the club’s long-term sustainability.
The cabins would offer a high level of finish and design features. Their exterior finishes are customisable prior to delivery, and so would sit comfortably within the landscape.
They would be clustered to create small “hamlets” of varying sizes to make the most of the natural surroundings of the National Park and allow guests to closely connect with nature.
Further enhancements
Designed to enhance the existing architecture, a renovated covered walkway and driving range building are being proposed to lead off the current clubhouse.
They would link the clubhouse to new indoor Pickleball courts. Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and is a combination of badminton, tennis, and table tennis, suitable for two or four players of all ages and abilities.
The new buildings would help form a pedestrianised courtyard with minimal vehicle access. Two outdoor padel tennis courts are also planned. Like Pickleball, padel tennis is a fast-growing sport. It is a fun cross between tennis and squash, and is ideal for beginners and experts alike.
Additionally, we are planning to:
– Refurbish the driving range with an extended covered area
– Introduce a family-friendly putting course
– Make some minor alterations to the clubhouse and extend the dining area
– Look at opportunities to better connect the site to existing rights of way, and facilities at Alice Holt