As you may be aware, Potters Bar Golf Course has been suggested as a prospective housing development site. This would mean building 450+ houses on the land, but no extra amenities to accommodate the growth in residents. We, the golf watch residents association believe the land is totally unsuitable for this new housing estate.

Instead, there is a unique and rare opportunity to retain this site for the benefit of our Potters Bar community and the surrounding areas. We think the residents of Potters Bar should be involved in shaping their environment for the benefit of the community. 

This proposal includes an exciting regeneration project for this landmark site. It entails;

• A bike park - providing safe cycling for all levels
• Open air walking and fitness circuits
• 4* Hotel with around 150 rooms
• Modern wedding/ banqueting and conference facilities for up to 300 guests
• Hotel Spa and Restaurant
• A Community Hub, which could include;
• An indoor children's play area,
• A nursery,
• A cafe/ tearooms etc.
• A Library
• Cycle parking
• Significant re-forestation
• Additional parking for local shops

There are obvious benefits for this proposal, including: 

• Sport, leisure and exercising facilities 
• Brand new community facilities
• Destination upmarket hotel with function rooms for the whole community
• Major employment provider - 120+ new jobs
• Significant commercial boost to the economy of Potters Bar
• A Managed and modern environment for leisure activities

Not to mention the environmental benefits:

• Significant new tree planting across the site - contributing to cleaner air in our town 
• The whole site can remain within Green Belt
• Prevents development creep and maintains the important separation of Potters Bar from Welwyn Hatfield

As mentioned earlier, we believe the land is totally unsuitable for this new housing estate for various reasons which are listed below:

• The site only has one viable entrance, on Darkes lane and would mean inevitable daily gridlock at peak times, whereas the hotel and bike park will generate less overall traffic and at a steady spread throughout the day.
• A substantial part of the site is a recognised Environment Agency Flood Zone. New houses will only increase the flooding risk for the new residents but also increase run off risk for current residents. Instead, techniques used in commercial development ensure much smaller development which minimises these flooding issue.
• The site is surrounded by the Hertsmere/ WHDC boundary, meaning it is significant in providing separation between settlements. The new proposal will create a permanent and preserved separation between the two.

Housing development tends to 'creep'. Reassurances regarding undeveloped land cannot be relied upon as the site needs a viable alternative use. Cycling is one of the fastest growing activities in the U.K. , so this viable business model is sustainable in the long term, protecting our lovely green space.

Sign the petition to show your support for the new proposal and preserve our town's green lung!

You can also email any comments or questions to our local councillors: 

Cllr. Paul Hodgson-Jones - cllr.paul.hodgson-jones@hertsmere.gov.uk

Cllr. Abhishek Sachdev - cllr.abhishek.sachdev@hertsmere.gov.uk

CCing yoursayPB2@gmail.com

Thank you!