Hitch in plans for new Baberton clubhouse

FROM THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS
By MARTIN DEMPSTER
An Edinburgh golf club has been granted planning permission for a stunning new clubhouse – but hopes of it being built are in limbo due to uncertainty over an agreement with a property developer.
Baberton Golf Club in Juniper Green got the go-ahead last week for a development that includes a contemporary clubhouse and 30 executive-style apartments. The apartments are to be built on the site of the existing clubhouse and the club has an agreement with a property developer for that to happen.
However, fears are growing about the deal after club officials have been unable to make contact with the company.
"At this particular stage the proposed development is in limbo," said club secretary Bernard Flockhart."We now have approval to build the new clubhouse and flats but need to find out from Southplace Homes if they are proceeding. We've pushed them over the last month or so but have not been able to contact them."
Plans to replace the existing Baberton clubhouse, which was built when the club was inaugurated in 1893, have been in the pipeline for the past six years. Outline planning permission for the project, which is on a green belt site, was originally rejected before being approved on appeal by the Secretary of State.
At that time, the club had an agreement with a different developer, Cruden Homes, for the land where the current clubhouse sits but that fell through.
In securing detailed planning permission, Baberton's members have at least moved a step closer to seeing their club get a modern new clubhouse but the project won't be able to go ahead unless a developer comes up with the money for the land to build the flats.
"It has always been our intention that this (the new clubhouse) would be done at no extra cost to members," added Flockhart. "It's unfortunate that there seems to be no finance for the development of the flats at the moment due to the recession but it was in our interest to get planning permission as we can try and get another developer if this one walks away. We now have an asset that is worth something to us when the financial climate is right."
The proposed clubhouse is to be built beside the first fairway and will enjoy views across the course to the west. It will have facilities to match new clubhouses built at the likes of Prestonfield, the Merchants and Swanston New in recent years.
"The proposals tie in with the character of the conservation area and are sympathetic to the green belt location," said Gordon Beaton, design director of Edinburgh-based Susan Stephen Architects.
"The clubhouse design responds to current day golfers' needs with panoramic views over the golf course and large, open fully-glazed public spaces. Both the clubhouse and apartments are attractively designed in a contemporary Scottish vernacular style with traditional finishes."
+The full article above appears in the Edinburgh Evening News newspaper today.