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Projects Update

3 March 2026

Maintenance Facility & Water Security

Progress on Two Key Strategic Projects

 

Dear Members,

Following the introduction of the Club’s 5–7 Year Plan at the end of 2025, we plan to share more details of the 5-7 year plan in mid-March prior to the AGM. However, we would like to update you now on two of the key essential projects as project milestones have been achieved:

  • The new Course Maintenance Facility, and
  • Water Security

Both are critical to the Club’s long-term sustainability and to our ability to consistently deliver the golf courses in the best possible condition. We are focused on timely delivery but progress involves navigating the regulatory processes to a timely conclusion.

Successful completion of both projects will allow us to operate more efficiently. It frees up more hours to be spent preparing the courses to a high standard, enables better care for our machinery and our team, and positions the Club to be more sustainable and financially efficient in the years ahead.


At a Glance – Key Updates

Maintenance Facility

  • Full planning application submitted to Guildford Borough Council, which starts the indicative 13-week planning timetable.
  • Building refined to 2,400m² (from 2,700m²) for improved efficiency and cost control.
  • Three core areas: Machine Hall, Workshop and Office & Staff Facilities.

  • Further work to secure more accurate indicative pricing is ongoing now that the final design has been submitted.
  • In line with the Club’s Articles member approval will be sought.
  • The target is still to have all elements (planning, contractor, member approval) of the plan completed by the end of 2026, for a spring 2027 start date.


Water Security

  • Drilling of the test borehole completed. Potential to provide up to 30% more irrigation water during the playing season.
  • Monitoring and evidence gathering now underway to support a formal abstraction licence application expected to be submitted to the Environment Agency (EA) around Easter 2026.
  • Estimated EA application hearing time 8-12 months therefore the benefit of additional water to be secured by the 2027 golf season.
  • Costs to date are lower than anticipated and fully funded within the clubs capital plan.

Members who wish to explore the detail behind each project can find further information below.

Thank you for your continued engagement and support as we deliver these vital improvements for the future of the Club.

 

Kind regards,

​David Shepherd
Chief Executive


Read More – Project Detail

Maintenance Facility – Planning Application Submitted

Following positive engagement with Guildford Borough Council during the pre-planning phase, we are pleased to confirm that our full planning application has now been submitted in line with their feedback.

This reflects the Club’s objective to deliver a fit-for-purpose, sustainable, and operationally efficient facility, supporting both long-term performance and providing a high-quality working environment for our course team. This replaces entirely the existing 35-yr old maintenance facility.

The proposed 2,400m² facility includes:

  • Equipment Store (Machine Hall) – secure, weatherproof storage for machinery.
  • Workshop – dedicated area for equipment servicing and maintenance.
  • Office & Staff Facilities – including offices, welfare areas, a canteen, and showers.

The reduction from the original 2,700m² ensures the facility remains fully functional while improving buildability and cost control.

We are grateful to the Members who have contributed their expertise to date, and we will continue to engage relevant members during the tender and contracting phase to help ensure the project is delivered efficiently and responsibly.

Whilst early cost estimates from experienced design-build contractors are encouraging, further work is ongoing to obtain more accurate indicative pricing.

We anticipate providing further updates on this project in the lead up to the AGM.


Water Security – Test Borehole Completed

As previously communicated, a shallow borehole, located between Church 1 and the lake on Church 9, has been identified as the most viable and sustainable solution for increasing the Club’s long-term water security.

We are pleased to report that drilling of the test borehole has now been completed, following permission from the Environment Agency.

Next Steps:

  • The borehole will now be used to abstract water for testing, enabling us to gather data to support our formal application. This expected EA license application to be submitted around Easter 2026.
  • If we can demonstrate no adverse impact on local groundwater systems, particularly the River Wey, we will apply to include this borehole in our permanent annual abstraction licence.

Whilst testing is progressing efficiently, the formal EA approval process is likely to take longer. We will continue to manage all aspects under our control proactively.

This project represents a cost-effective and environmentally responsible step toward securing one of the Club’s most essential resources. Costs remain lower than anticipated and are fully funded within the Club’s 5–7 Year Capital Plan.