Golf expansion plan Nature lovers leap to the defence of pond's toads

BATTLE lines are being drawn in the countryside just outside Bristol, where a plan to expand one of the city's most illustrious golf courses has sparked fury among local residents and nature-lovers, who say it threatens a famous colony of toads.

- Tristan CORK

The Bristol and Clifton Golf Club, which was formed in 1891, has asked North Somerset Council planners for permission to create a new "academy course", which would consist of nine par-three holes to the north of the course they have called home for the past 135 years.

But the plans have triggered a deluge of objections - dozens in the past couple of days alone for two reasons. Firstly, the project would see a heavy lorry drive into or away from the expansion site along a narrow country lane every six minutes of every working day for two years. And secondly, people who visit and love the famous Abbot's Pool nearby say they fear it will destroy the fragile habitat of the large medieval lake, which is home to a huge colony of toads and other wildlife. The golf club, which is based north of Failand on the other side of Ashton Court from Bristol itself, said it would like to expand to create a new academy course to help people especially young golfers get into the sport. Many big clubs have junior courses on the side, which provide a more accessible entrance to the sport.