ST IVES Golf Club has applied to Huntingdonshire District Council to build a brand new course on the eastern side of the town. The news has fuelled speculation that the rest of the present course, near the St Ivo Indoor Centre, may be sold for housing. Th

ST IVES Golf Club has applied to Huntingdonshire District Council to build a brand new course on the eastern side of the town.

The news has fuelled speculation that the rest of the present course, near the St Ivo Indoor Centre, may be sold for housing.

The club's application is to build an 18-hole course on the eastern side of the town on land at Giffords Farm, off Needingworth Road.

The plans could see the club move from its current premises where it has stood for more than 80 years.

Club manager Mark Simpson said: "Our members have been waiting for this move for a long time. The plans include a brand new clubhouse and, for the first time, a full 18-hole course.

"We are in the hands of the planning panel but we hope to be ready to move in by 2009. What is for sure is that no part of the current course will be developed until the new site is ready to move into."

The club has 475 members, who are all from St Ives and the surrounding areas.

Former mayor Councillor Jean Chandler fears the current site of the golf course will inevitably be given over to housing. She said: "The golf course as it stands at the moment acts as a green buffer between St Ives and Houghton.

"I understand that the golf club members want an 18-hole course but, with the pressure to build houses, unfortunately I think it is inevitable that the green space will be taken."

* Around 300 new homes are due to be built at Hughton Road, St Ives, including on part of the present nine-hole golf course.,