A protest group has been resurrected in a united show of solidarity against any plans to build new homes on an exclusive golf club in Thorpe Bay.

United - Greenkeeper treasurer Peter Blomfield, Margaret Black of Burges Estate Residents' Association and Ian Robertson. Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY 7HJPN5

Greenkeeper was originally formed to fight proposals to redevelop the course, in Thorpe Hall Avenue, many years ago.

New owners of the site, Westcliff-based Robert Leonard Group and the Regis Group, have confirmed they will seek to move the club half-a-mile up the road to a site off Bournes Green Chase.

The move would leave Thorpe Hall a prime development site in an area where house prices are soaring but any move is in the hands of club members who would make a final decision.

Ian Robertson, acting chairman of Greenkeeper, who lives in Thorpe Hall Avenue, said if club members were not determined to stop the development, then Greenkeeper would fight it all the way.

A director of Thorpe Hall Golf Club, who declined to be named said: "We have no knowledge of any new proposals from the developers.

"All we have been told is that the new company is now our landlord and we have a lease of more than 40 years on the site."

Published Wednesday, February 20, 2002