The Future of Beeston Fields Golf Course
A once-in-a-generation opportunity for Beeston
For more than fifty years, Beeston Fields Golf Course has been a valued part of the town’s landscape. Established the same year as this Society, 1973, it has provided a distinctive parkland setting that generations of local people have enjoyed and appreciated.
Today, the future of the site is under consultation.
While we would prefer to see the whole golf course preserved, we recognise that development may now be inevitable. If this is the case, then it must be done properly: with ambition, care, and a genuine commitment to quality.
This is not just about building houses. It is about shaping the future of Beeston.
A Shared Responsibility
As promoters, alongside the local planning authority (LPA) and the Society, there is a collective responsibility to ensure that any development delivers:
- High-quality streets and public spaces
- Thoughtful, enduring architecture
- A meaningful contribution to Beeston’s character and heritage
Too often, new residential developments fail to live up to their promises. Despite glossy Design and Access Statements, the reality on the ground can be poor: mediocre design, weak materials, and environments that fall short of expectations.
We will not be persuaded by attractive illustrations or vague commitments.
Our membership includes experienced professionals with deep expertise in development management, urban design, and planning. We understand the realities of:
- Viability
- Adoption standards
- Commercial delivery
And this allows us to engage constructively, pragmatically, and knowledgeably in the process.
A Positive Vision for Development
If new homes must be built here, they should enhance – not diminish – Beeston.
The Beeston Fields site presents a rare opportunity to create something exceptional: a development that enriches the town’s architectural, environmental, and social fabric for generations to come.
We are more “YIMBY” than “NIMBY” – we welcome good development. But we will strongly challenge anything that repeats the mistakes of standard volume housebuilding.
Our 20 Key Development Requirements (KDR) for Beeston Fields
These principles set out a clear, ambitious framework for what high-quality development on this site should look like.
Landscape, Nature + Green Infrastructure
1. Parkland Setting
Retain the parkland character with existing trees complemented by new planting along streets and in open spaces.
2. Tree Protection
Protect existing mature trees through Tree Preservation Orders.
3. Connected Green Spaces
Create a rich tapestry of public open spaces – grasslands, meadows, and woodland.
4. Biodiversity Net Gain
Deliver all biodiversity improvements on-site, with no reliance on off-site credits.
5. The Bridleway
Preserve the route, openness, and tree-lined character of the bridleway.
6. Green Edges
Maintain natural perimeter boundaries with no development within 30 metres.
18. Shade + Canopy
Design streets with real, shade-giving trees – not token landscaping.
Sustainability + Infrastructure
7. Energy
Explore local energy generation and distribution solutions.
11. Water Management
Manage water where it falls using integrated solutions – not fenced-off attenuation basins.
Streets, Movement + Living Environment
12. Streets for People
Create low-traffic, 20mph neighbourhood streets designed for walking and cycling.
14. Cycling
Provide secure cycle storage for every home, close to front doors.
15. Parking
Integrate car parking sensitively within a strong landscape framework.
Homes + Community
9. Education + Health
Ensure schools and GP services are accessible within walking and cycling distance.
10. Self-Build Opportunities
Allocate 20% of plots for self-build under a Plot Passport approach.
13. Retirement Living
Deliver high-quality, community-focused retirement housing inspired by exemplary schemes.
Design Quality + Legacy
16. Lasting Legacy
Incorporate thoughtful architectural detail that reflects Beeston’s heritage and creates pride for future generations.
17. Authentic Design
Avoid poor-quality imitation materials and detailing. Homes should be either genuinely traditional or genuinely contemporary.
Practical Living
19. Waste Management
Explore innovative alternatives to wheelie bins, such as street-based solutions.
A True Partnership
20. Community Engagement
Engage meaningfully with the local community – not through token consultations, but through genuine collaboration. We know this when we see it!
We want real participation – “Planning for Real” – using practical, inclusive methods where local people help shape outcomes from the outset.
What Happens Next?
This consultation is a critical moment.
We are ready to collaborate with developers and decision-makers to achieve the highest possible standards.
But we are equally prepared to oppose proposals that fail to meet these expectations – with strong community backing and clear, evidence-based arguments.
We have met with Cilldara, and presented to them our KDR (see below). We hope to continue to work with them.
Let’s Work Together
The future of Beeston Fields should be something we can all be proud of.
The question is simple:
Will this be a development shaped with the community – or imposed on it?
Contact us about BFGC: beestonfields@beestoncivicsociety.org.uk