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The future of Mount Pleasant Golf Course: Golf vs. Community Uses

General News, Hobbies, News & Events

Mount Pleasant Golf Course in Lower Stondon, Henlow, has been a place for golf lovers for years. Since 2022, Bloor Homes has owned the land, and in 2024, it consulted on plans to redevelop it. In January 2025, Bloor Homes submitted an outline planning application to Central Bedfordshire Council. The proposal includes a mix of community uses.

The Benefits of Golf for Men’s Peer Support

Golf is more than just a sport. For many men, it offers a chance to socialise, relax, and support each other. Here’s why golf is good for men’s mental health and peer support:

  • Time to Talk – A round of golf takes hours, giving men time to chat in a relaxed setting.
  • Physical Exercise – Walking the course and swinging a club helps with fitness and reduces stress.
  • Routine and Structure – Playing regularly can provide a sense of purpose.
  • A Supportive Environment – Many men feel more comfortable discussing personal struggles while engaged in an activity rather than in formal settings.

Losing Mount Pleasant Golf Course means losing these benefits. It removes a place where men can gather, unwind, and support one another.

The Benefits of the Proposed Community Uses

While the loss of a golf course is significant, the new plans aim to benefit the wider community. Here’s what’s proposed and how it could help:

  • Community Sports Centre – A sports hall, fitness suite, and outdoor games area could offer activities for all ages, encouraging fitness and social connection. It should be noted that a hub is already in the process in Lower Stondon.
  • Primary School or Village Green – Bloor Homes will provide land for a new school, which would serve local families, while a village green would provide open space for community events and sports. However the council would need to build the school at their own cost.
  • Public Parkland – Play areas, walking paths, and better access between different parts of the village would promote outdoor activities and community interaction.
  • Allotments and Orchard – Extra allotments and a community orchard would give people space to grow food, encouraging sustainability and healthy living.

A Lower Stondon resident said “It’s a very complex application to fight at present, and the local residents are requesting that the next application  needs to be brought forward or the application in January to be withdrawn. It’s premature for Bloor to submit this application without linking to their overall aim to build houses. The proposal to build 400+ house brings it’s own challenges. The village growth has been too fast and not supported with improved infrastructure.”

The Debate: Golf Course vs. Community Spaces

The big question is: Should the golf course remain, or should the land be used for new community facilities? Those who support the redevelopment argue that the plans will benefit more people, making Lower Stondon a better place to live. Others believe that losing the golf course means losing a valuable space for peer support, mental health, and leisure.

Have Your Say

If you want to object to the redevelopment of Mount Pleasant Golf Course, you can do so here: https://tinyurl.com/m2vy7wnj. Your opinion matters, so make sure to have your say.