People in Leeds are being encouraged to have their say on proposals for changes to the city’s crown green bowling facilities, with greens at Holbeck Moor and Cranmore Recreation Ground under threat of closure
Leeds City Council announced plans in December for a consultation on crown green provision as part of a wide-ranging package of measures designed to tackle the unprecedented financial challenge that has left it needing to find nearly £275m in savings over the next five years.
That consultation is now under way, with the council keen to gather a broad cross-section of views from those involved with a pastime that it recognises makes a valuable contribution to many people’s mental and physical health.
Two options are under consideration for the city’s 61 council-operated outdoor greens, which are spread across 47 sites and currently cost more than £350,000 each year to maintain.
The first option would see the number of greens reduced to 31, delivering a net annual saving of £140,000 from the 2025/26 financial year onwards.
This would also allow the council to target its existing maintenance resources across fewer locations, with the anticipated result being better cared-for bowls facilities that could be used by multiple rather than single clubs.
When drawing up the list of greens that would remain operational, the council took into account factors such as membership numbers, condition of clubhouses and other buildings and proximity to district centres and main roads.
The second option under consideration would see all 61 greens staying open but would also – to mitigate the ‘lost’ savings of £140,000 – mean a significant rise in the season ticket prices paid by players.
No decision has been taken on which option to pursue, with the newly-launched consultation due to run until Wednesday 26 January 2025.
The responses received during the consultation will help shape a set of recommendations that will be presented to the council’s executive board in the next few months.
In the event that it is the closure plans which get the go-ahead, Leeds would still have a greater number of council-run crown green bowling sites than other large cities such as Birmingham, Manchester and Nottingham.
Figures show demand for crown green bowling in Leeds has fallen by 39% since 2014, with three-quarters of existing council sites having fewer than 30 members.
This means, if some facilities do close, the remaining 31 greens would still be able to accommodate current levels of usage.
Plans for the consultation were announced last month as part of the council’s initial budget proposals for the 2025/26 financial year.
Those proposals aim to deliver major savings across many service areas as the council deals with pressures such as the rising cost of social care for vulnerable adults and children.
Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said:
“In common with other councils across the country, Leeds is facing a financial challenge that continues to impact the services it is able to provide.
“The proposals for our crown green bowling sites reflect both the seriousness of the situation and the need to explore every possible option that will help us balance our budget.
“Equally, we recognise that these plans – which have been drawn up after a great deal of thought and analysis – will be a source of concern for some bowling club members.
“I would therefore like to encourage people to get involved with the consultation and share their views as we carefully consider our next steps.
“We would also stress that the council remains fully committed to supporting crown green bowling and other activities that play a positive role in people’s health and well-being.”
To take part in the consultation, click here. People with questions about the plans are asked to e-mail cgbconsultation@leeds.gov.uk.
The 30 bowling greens earmarked for potential closure are spread across a total of 24 sites in 19 different council wards. The sites are:
- Aberford Bowling Green
- Acre Close Bowling Green
- Allerton Bywater Sports Ground
- Armley Park
- Bramley Park
- Chapel Allerton Park
- Churwell Park
- Cranmore Recreation Ground
- Gildersome Park
- Grove Hill Park
- Halton Dean – Primrose Valley
- Harehills Park
- Holbeck Moor
- Kippax Common (Green Lane)
- Micklefield Par
- New Farnley Park
- Roundhay Park
- Tarnfield Park
- Tyersal Park
- Western Flatts Cliff Park
- Westroyd Park
- Whinmoor Park
- Woodlesford Park
- Woodside Recreation Ground
This post is based on a press release issued by Leeds City Council
Photo: Shutterstock
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