The former Caird Park golf courses in Dundee could be set for a takeover after the land was placed “under offer”.
The Courier has seen an email from Dundee City Council confirming it is considering an expression of interest from a third party in using the land.
The information was sent to a group of golfers who want to revive the sport at Caird Park, following the closure of the courses in April.
It comes as new photos taken by The Courier show the overgrown state of the former municipal courses.
Friends of Cairdy and the Golf Course contacted the local authority about the potential of reopening the courses under a community ownership model.
Former Caird Park golf courses in Dundee placed ‘under offer subject to due diligence’
In an email response, a worker in the council’s property department said: “The golf course is currently under offer subject to due diligence.”
No further details have been revealed about who is behind the potential takeover or what the land could be used for.
The Courier has contacted Dundee City Council for comment, but the local authority has failed to respond.
We also contacted several councillors, who said they were unaware of the details.
The land is designated open space and part of the city’s Green Network.
Accordingly, housing is not thought to be an option.
Even if the land is put to new use, it is understood the site would remain under public ownership.
Any change of use would require councillors’ approval.
The council has previously said it is open to suggestions on the use of the site.
Friends of Cairdy express scepticism
Paul Johnson, who has been leading Friends of Cairdy, told The Courier: “We have taken this email at face value and on the surface it appears to be transparent.
“However, there is a large element of doubt here.
“As a result, we are continuing to push ahead with our bid for the asset transfer of the courses.
“We remain very optimistic that this could still be possible.
“We want to save the courses for the people of Dundee and Caird Park golfers who desperately want their golf course back.
“As far as we are concerned, the bid continues with further steps planned by us in the near future.
“In the meantime, it seems ridiculous that our children are about to come off on the long school holiday, and they could have been having fun on the courses at Caird Park.”
Golfers said farewell to the courses on an emotional day in April.
The council closed the courses in a bid to save more than £400,000 a year from the Leisure and Culture Dundee budget.
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