ANGLESEY Council is to proceed with the sale of a former golf course despite calls to slam the brakes and see if the site could be used for potentially lucrative housing developments.

After years of running at average annual losses of £28,000, 2018 saw the closure of Llangefni’s nine hole range despite the efforts of a local community enterprise to keep it going.

Following a seven week public consultation, Monday saw a meeting of the council’s Executive unanimously back proposals to go ahead with the sale of the 42 acres and accompanying three bedroom house.

When the course was closed, a proviso of any eventual land sale was that the proceeds would be reinvested into sports facilities in and around the town, specifically the Plas Arthur leisure centre.

But while a recent scrutiny committee meeting had backed pausing any sale of the land until it could be established if parts of the land could be included within the Joint Local Development Plan (JLDP) – potentially increasing its value dramatically if planning could be secured for housing – the decision making executive decided that such proposals would prove to be problematic.

Thanks to the casting vote of its chair, the Corporate Scrutiny Committee felt that selling the land to would-be developers – if included within the JLDP – would dramatically increase its worth compared to other potential uses.

But with a recent audit report raising concern over the condition of the island’s ageing leisure centres, executive members felt that the proceeds would be needed now rather than potentially having to wait potentially 10 or even 15 years for the site to be in a position for development.

Cllr Bob Parry, one of the local members, said that any development on the land had the potential to “bridge Llangefni with Rhosmeirch,” adding that the only real option was to market the site as soon as possible due to the need to invest in Plas Arthur.

He added there was “no certainty” the site would ever be accepted into the JLDP, adding that some planning applications for housing in the town had already been refused.

Cllr Robin Williams was given assurance, however, that the authority could potentially include a condition, as part of any sale, that Anglesey Council would benefit financially were any developments to take place down the line.

While the report does not reveal the expected value the authority expects to recoup, it’s stated that it “exceeds £250,000”.

The portfolio holder for economic development and leisure, Cllr Carwyn Jones, added: “I don’t think there’s any certainty that the site would be accepted into the JLDP at all.

“Its important now that we sit down with officers to realise the best value for the site, which could involve divvying it up into specific lots, with the end game of generating the most income possible.”

As well as the 42 acres, the sale of the three bedroom Tŷ Ffridd will also go ahead as originally planned.

 Opened in 1983 by Ynys Môn Borough Council to provide a low cost “pay and play” facility for beginner and intermediate golfers, it was frequented by Danny Willett as he holidayed on Anglesey as a child before going on to win the 2016 US Masters tournament.

For two years until September 2018, the lease for the site was held by the Llangefni Social Enterprise on a peppercorn rent, but ended after the group conceded it was not financially worthwhile to run the course.

The on-site driving range has since reopened and operates as a stand-alone business under lease from the authority, and is not under threat by the plans.