Stanmore Golf Club faces an uncertain future because of a political battle within Harrow Council over the use of its facilities.

The club, which has been based at the council-owned site in Gordon Avenue for more than 100 years, has about 550 members. Its lease is due to expire in a few years and the council is negotiating terms for a renewal for another half-century.

The council's Labour group claims to have reached a deal under which club members and the public can use the land together, but Conservative councillors have forced the matter to a debate at the policy and resources meeting at the end of March.

Councillor Keith Burchell (Labour) said: "We wanted to encourage Harrow schoolchildren to get involved in the sport. This was a partnership approach, with public access five days a week and a long term lease for the club.

"The club is quite concerned that they would not get people to take up new membership, and the Conservatives started talking of selling the club to build up the council's capital reserves: these delays just prolong the uncertainty."

Councillor Andrew Olins (Conservative) said: "I have never mentioned that we should sell the club. We want to achieve the best deal possible for the existing members, but this needs a lot more attention.

"The facilities at the club have been improved over the past year or so but still need attention. The lease doesn't run out for a few years, and we can spend the next few months trying to get the best possible arrangement."

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