Cycling IS the new golf... Former golf academy to get off-road cycle circuit and mountain bike trail

South Bucks District Council (SBDC) has approved proposals to transform a former golf academy into a country park in Stoke Poges. Bucks Free Press reports that plans for the 22-hectare site include an off-road cycle circuit, a mountain bike trail and a café.

In October 2016, South Bucks closed its nine-hole golf course, known as the Academy, due to falling demand and increased cost to the council to operate it.

The decision was taken to re-landscape the site to create a public open space.

Following a consultation, plans were drawn up for an enclosed cycle track, for use by the public and clubs; a mountain bike trail; a BMX area, jogging and walking trails; a grassed amphitheatre area; a children’s play area and a café.

Work is due to start early in 2019 and will take two years.

Leader of SBDC, Nick Naylor, said: “This is an exciting development for the council which has received overwhelming public support.

“We are turning an underused facility into something of far wider benefit to the community to support our aims to improve the public health of residents by expanding their opportunities for open space leisure.”