A DECISION to transfer Burnley’s publicly-owned golf course to a leisure outfit has been welcomed.

Plans by borough councillors to hand over the Towneley greens and fairways to Burnley Leisure have been approved by the council's executive.

There is speculation the Barden Lane athletics track, home to Burnley Athletics Club and Burnley United FC, could soon follow suit.

Burnley Leisure already runs the golf range, academy and mini-golf facility at the Prairie Sports Village, as well as Burnley and Padiham’s leisure centres and The Mechanics.

Town hall chiefs have confirmed the deal covers the 18-hole, nine-hole and pitch and putt courses.

Proposals are already being drawn up to overhaul the club shop, replace the pitch and putt cabin and make improvements to the smaller course.

Cllr Gordon Birtwistle, Liberal Democrat opposition group leader, said: “This would save the council money.

“The golf course just about breaks even currently but then the council’s service charge of around £90,000 a year is added on.

“The argument has always been over why the council taxpayer should be supporting a private golf club. You don’t see subsidies for Clitheroe or Glen View.”

Council bosses have pledged to work closely with Towneley Golf Club to further upgrade the course in future.

Gerard Vinton, Burnley Leisure’s chief executive, said: “Towneley golf course fits well with our existing golf facilities at the Prairie and with other leisure services we offer across the borough.

“This opens up exciting possibilities for the future development of the courses and working with Towneley Golf Club to improve the facilities.”

Under the new arrangement the council will be reducing its grant to the leisure trust in future years.

The surrounding Towneley Park and Towneley Hall will continue to be managed by the borough council, it has been confirmed.

Under Sport England’s Inspired Facilities programme, Towneley Golf Club was awarded £44,000 in 2013 as part of efforts to encourage more female and young players to take up the game.

This included offering associate memberships for young people, aged up to 25, who are in full-time education or enrolled on an apprenticeship course.