Case Study

Nelson Golf Club

Case Study

Biodiversity gain at Nelson Golf Club

Biodiversity Land and Leisure Limited is working in partnership with Nelson Golf Club in Brierfield, Nelson, Lancashire.

Background

The approach behind the collaboration is to embody the principles of the R&A’s Golf Course 2030 Initiative which includes:

Sustainable use of resources in collection and harvesting of rain water for course irrigation rather than reliance on mains or borehole water

Increasing biodiversity on the non-playing areas

Planning for climate change including course re-modelling

Adoption of renewable energy principles in terms of both facilities and mobile plant

Course statistics

Lancashire
Parkland Course
18 holes
6000 yards
Approach

Phase 1 of the process is the development of a Habitat Bank at Nelson Golf Club. It combines the GC 2030 principles with an opportunity to create Biodiversity Units for trading, with local housebuilders seeking to offset biodiversity loss on their housing developments.

Advised by ecology experts, Avian Ecology, Biodiversity Land and Leisure has identified a number of key opportunities to maximise habitat improvement on the course, and adjacent land owned by the club including:

Enhancement of grassland areas which include wildflower planting

Encouraging heather growth on the course reflecting the upland nature

Planting of mixed native scrub to provide foraging and cover for local wildlife

Replacement of non-native tree species with native and opening up of woodland canopies for ground flora to flourish

Planting of circa 1km of new native hedgerow

Working with the team at Biodiversity Land and Leisure was a smooth process, their expertise and knowledge of the new legislation and what can be achieved was an eye opener and is helping us carve out a new future.

John Sinclair

President
Solution

The proposals also include the creation of a series of ponds on the course, which provide biodiversity benefits whilst also enabling rainwater collection.

The biodiversity proposals will deliver over 130 Biodiversity units for trading, which will provide a significant income stream to the club, whilst placing Nelson at the vanguard of GC 2030 roll out in the UK.

The collaboration is investigating the potential for some course re-modelling, advised by Sam Cooper from world renowned golf architects Clayton, Devries and Pont, to improve playing and provide readiness for climate change and looking at the provision of renewable energy assets on the course.

Biodiversity Land and Leisure Limited is the leading partner for golf clubs in the UK and on their pathway to sustainable golf.

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