Campaigners are set to protest in the New Year over Homes England’s decision to close Ifield Golf Club.
The government housing agency has owned the Crawley site since 2020 and has served notice requiring the club to vacate by April 2027, the year it marks its centenary.
The land forms part of a proposed development of 3,000 homes west of Ifield, an application that has yet to be determined by Horsham District Council.
A peaceful demonstration has been organised by residents’ group Save West of Ifield and will take place at 10.45am on Monday, January 5.
The protest is intended to give club members and local residents the opportunity to voice their opposition to what campaigners describe as a “premature decision to close the club”.
Group spokeswoman Cathy Durrant accused Homes England of pursuing an “aggressive and cynical strategy” to force the West of Ifield development through the planning process.
She said: “While Homes England has the legal right, as landlord, to serve notice, this action shows a blatant disregard for the views of those who object to the application and the resulting closure of the club, including consul-tees such as the government agency Sport England, as well as England Golf and Sussex Golf.”
Horsham District Council is not expected to reach a decision on the West of Ifield application for several months. Campaigners argue that Homes England should therefore withdraw its notice to quit until planning permission has been granted.
