Residents living near to Crowlands Heath Golf Course were sent a letter from H4Life Ltd director Marc Pennick on October 8 detailing plans to demolish the golf course and build 1,100 new homes, new infrastructure and sports facilities.
Tom Batchelor, from Kanda, a consultation agency working with H4Life, revealed to this paper there are 10 people employed at the golf course and the plans for the redevelopment would generate around 25 new opportunities.
He said: “The new development will provide new jobs through the proposed retail unit and across the community centre and cafe.
“The number of jobs will outstrip the current number of jobs on site.”
Barking and Dagenham cabinet members agreed earlier this month to sell the golf course, two-thirds of which sits in Havering, to H4Life.
The golf club has just less than 80 members and Mr Batchelor said the number of people playing golf during the week averages 16 rounds per day and on the weekend averages 23 rounds per day.
Mr Pennick claimed in the letter that the numbers “are not sustainable”.
Mr Batchelor added: “The proposals will also provide 100 per cent affordable housing, providing much needed new homes for Barking and Dagenham residents and Havering residents, reducing both council’s waiting lists, alongside wider community benefits.
“This will be one of the largest offerings of new build social and key worker housing in London.”
The existing site is a nine-hole, semi-private golf course with a driving range which the letter described as “poor-performing green belt land” providing an “excellent location for affordable housing”.
The homes will be a range of two, three and four bedrooms and include 60pc social housing and 40pc key worker housing.
Multiple play areas, football pitches, an indoor sports facility, a café/bar community centre, retail convenience store, and new bus routes and services have also been proposed.
The letter invited residents to join H4Life at its open days so they can see the proposals and provide feedback.
