Proposals to close Horsenden Hill Golf Course and turn it into mixed leisure use and a Christmas tree farm will continue, despite being called to scrutiny.

Ealing Tories called in the decision for the golf course’s possible permanent closure from January 31 , unless an offer arrives to keep it at no cost to the council before then, at a meeting last night (December 18).

Labour say they cannot continue to invest in the golf course in Greenford given the financial climate, and when there are alternative places to play golf in the borough.

Philip Hirth, a member of the club, said he is still hopeful someone will take on the business of running it as golf course.

He said: “I am obviously disappointed but not surprised when it’s put into perspective, because they were talking about closing day centres last night.

“They talked about 80 season ticket holders but that does not take into account all the other people that play there and the casual golfers- there’s hundreds of them.”

Conservative leader Greg Stafford said: “The reason we called it in is because residents have contacted us with concerns about use of the site.

“We believe the labour party have not done enough work to decide what the future of that golf course should be.

“Their statistics for what you can sell a Christmas tree for are dubious, they have not consulted with residents as to the impact of a commercial business and I do not think they have done enough to find alternative providers.

“We are disappointed they have decided to continue with the process.”

However, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for transport and environment Bassam Mahfouz said they are consulting with users and anyone else who is interested.

He said: “We are currently subsidising golf to be played which given the current climate we can’t continue when we are having to close day centres.

“The amount of golf played at Horsenden is about half of what is played at the other two clubs we own, Brent Valley and Perivale golf course, and only half of the members at Horsenden live in the borough.

“If it’s agreed we would look to invest in the other two courses. We would be looking to put them to a new contractor where the offer would be improved and most of the subsidy would disappear so tax payers would stop paying for people to play golf.”

Mr Mahfouz added: “We want an outdoor leisure facility on the site, to introduce better walking paths and we are looking to install cycle tracks.

“Also, the Christmas trees would bring in income.”