Row over plans for school course

20 January 2012

The Stowe gardens were designed by Capability Brown (pic: Christine Matthews)

Controversy has erupted over a plan by the upmarket Stowe School in England to relocate its golf course.

Founded in 1923, Stowe – whose alumni include names like Richard Branson – is located in the former home of the Dukes of Buckingham. As well as the golf course, the grounds of the house include the world-famous Stowe Landscape Gardens, designed by Capability Brown, William Kent and Charles Bridgeman in the eighteenth century and regarded as among the finest examples of the English landscape style.

The gardens and park at Stowe are owned by the National Trust. Now, the school and the Trust have agreed a land swap that would enable the golf course to be moved outside the historic park, and for the park to be restored.

Stowe has had a golf course since its foundation. The current course, designed by CK Cotton in the 1960s, is within the historic park, and close to the gardens, which are visited by more than 120,000 people each year.

But local residents have complained about the move. More than 20 objections have been received by Aylesbury Vale District Council, which is considering the application at the moment. STRI has handled the design work for the planning application.