The move represents a major victory for campaigners who have fought for years to protect the former golf course from large-scale development and follows one of the most fiercely debated issues in this year’s local elections.
The site, off Swindon Road, had been earmarked by the previous Labour administration for a housing-led scheme that could have delivered between 400 and 700 homes. Cabinet members had previously agreed to explore the larger option, arguing it would provide housing and affordable homes while generating a financial return for the council.
However, following May’s elections, the new administration has withdrawn the planned July Cabinet report and says it wants to work with residents and local organisations to explore alternative uses for the site.
Highworth ward councillor Vijay Manro said local campaigners had spent years fighting to protect the land.
“We got it removed from the Local Plan and then the Local Plan had to be reconsulted,” he said.
“Now we’re waiting to work with Highworth Town Council and the Save the Golf Course Action Group to see what the future holds for this place.”
Asked what he would like to see happen next, Cllr Manro said:
“I think it should become a country park. The Conservatives have said we want to build four country parks and I think the first one should be Highworth.”
Fellow Highworth councillor Steve Weisinger said residents had reacted angrily when proposals for housing on the site emerged.
“Residents were absolutely fuming that there were to be even 350 houses and a school, and then when that number doubled to 700, well, I can’t really tell you what a lot of people were saying in Highworth,” he said.
The former golf course has become increasingly popular since closing in 2019, with nature reclaiming much of the land. Walkers, dog owners and wildlife enthusiasts regularly use the site, while campaigners argue its environmental value has increased significantly since the course shut.
Deputy Council Leader Jake Chandler said the administration had no intention of progressing the previous housing proposal.
“We are presented with essentially a fait accompli when we took control of the administration,” he said.
“All we’ve done is simply shelve those plans. We’re not planning to proceed with that in any way.”
Cllr Chandler said he believed Highworth Town Council should ultimately take a leading role in shaping the site’s future.
“We believe Highworth Town Council should steward over this as part of a country park, part of our wider strategy for country parks around the borough, and return it, keep it green, support rewilding here and keep it recreational for residents.”
Questions remain over how a future country park would be funded, particularly given the council’s financial pressures.
However, Cllr Chandler argued that selling green spaces was not the answer.
“We shouldn’t achieve financial stability off the back of selling off vital green spaces like this in Highworth,” he said.
“Do we sell off Lydiard Park next year?”
The council has confirmed that a new report on the future of the site will come before Cabinet at a later date.
For now, though, the immediate threat of a 700-home development appears to have been removed.
“The golf course is staying green,” said Cllr Chandler.
“We’ll sit down with groups like Highworth Town Council and the Save Highworth Golf Group to finalise what that country park will look like, how we’re going to deliver it and how we’re going to pay for it.
“But for the time being, there is nothing to worry about. We’ve cancelled those plans, and that’s why it’s not coming to Cabinet.”
