The long-running saga of a beloved former golf course has been thrust into the limelight once more after the area’s parliamentary candidate wrote to the borough council leader requesting the authority give it up.

Swindon Borough Council owns Highworth’s old golf course, to the south west of the town.

But Coun Will Stone, who will stand for Labour to fight for election as MP for North Swindon in the next general election, has written to SBC leader Coun Jim Robbins asking he hand the land over to Highworth Town Council.

SBC is in the process of revising its Local Plan – the legally-required document that sets out where housing and employment land in Swindon might go – and Coun Stone wants to ensure that the golf course is not earmarked for development.

Swindon Advertiser: The Old Golf Course in Highworth to the top of the pictureThe Old Golf Course in Highworth to the top of the picture (Image: Newsquest)

Coun Stone wrote: “Highworth Town Councillor Fraser Haines has brought to my attention the desire of residents of Highworth to have the land formerly used as the golf course transferred over to the town council.

“The residents have previously campaigned incredibly hard over this issue only to be ignored by the previous administration.

“I know you have always been a friend to the people of Highworth and have had discussions on this matter [now] you have the power to make positive change.”

He concluded: “I am asking the council to consider transferring the land to the town council as this will ensure there will be no houses built on the land.

“As long as the land remains under Swindon Borough Council there is always a chance for future development.”

Highworth Town Councillor Fraser Haines told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I’m glad to hear of this letter from Will Stone.

“The Old Golf Course in an important green space for everyone in the town, children play there, people walk their dogs there, people just go for a walk and get some exercise; it's full of wildlife; there are deer and foxes and birds and the local photography group use it a lot.

"It’s been an important space for the town for many years and we really want to keep it as a green space for the town.”

In the original draft revision of the local plan, 350 houses were suggested for the course, one of several ringing the town, but such was the opposition in the town that that allocation was removed from the draft.