TADWORTH and Walton residents have "lost out" according to campaigners, after a prestigious golf club was given permission to turn common land into a practice area.
Walton Heath Golf Club has been given the go-ahead to de-register popular recreation ground Beecham's Field as common land.
In the deal, which was approved by a Government planning inspector last week, the land will become part of the golf club's facilities and residents will instead have access to space 1.3km away from the village, known as Round Wood and Watson's Wood.
The decision has been criticised by campaign group Open Spaces Society, whose general secretary Kate Ashbrook said the public had "lost out".
She added: "The proposed replacement land is some way off, on the other side of the M25, which walkers and riders must cross by a bridge shared with other users, including cyclists.
"The exchange land is very different in character, being wooded and on a steep slope; it is attractive but it is less suitable for walkers and riders of all abilities. We do not believe this to be a fair exchange."
The golf club has argued its current facilities are "inadequate for a premier golf club".
It also wanted to "regularise" the land, to avoid the "anarchic situation" of golf balls being hit into the area where residents were walking or exercising.
But Tadworth resident Peter Dodd has criticised Reigate and Banstead Borough Council over the part it played.
In April last year, a Deed of Variation was signed by the council releasing the golf club from its covenant not to de-register the land in question.
Mr Dodd said: "I think it's fairly evident that the council two-timed on us. Nobody was consulted, nobody was asked about it [the Deed], it was just done. I think it was an appalling action."
He said the replacement land was "of no earthly use" as it was so far from the village.
Michael Graham, the council's legal services manager, said: "The 2013 Deed was entered into under delegated powers simply to regularise the position given the history of the site.
"Consultation was undertaken in accordance with our delegation rules, including with the council leader, deputy leader and relevant councillors at the time. The de-registration process itself involved full public consultation. Local residents appeared at the public inquiry both in support of and in opposition to the golf club's application and these views were taken into account by the inspector in determining the application."
Tadworth and Walton Residents' Association told the Mirror it was "very disappointed" with the decision, and was considering applying for a judicial review.
Explaining their reasons for applying to have the land de-registered, secretary of Walton Heath Golf Club Stuart Christie said: "The area on Beecham's Field was chosen as it is the only part of the common which is large enough to accommodate golfers of all levels of ability and is conveniently situated to the clubhouse, professional's shop and first tees.
"The land offered as replacement land is some 20 per cent larger than the area applied for on Beecham's Field. Indeed, the inspector pointed out that 'the replacement land offers the opportunity of a different sort of experience for local inhabitants and one which is not available in other parts of Walton Heath Common'."
The golf club holds national and international amateur and professional tournaments, and hosted the 1981 Ryder Cup.
