Management of a golf course which could be taken over to use for burial spaces has spoken out after plans proved deeply unpopular with users.

Bracknell Forest Council would like to expand the Easthampstead Cemetery and Crematorium to address the borough’s emerging burial space shortage.

Plans to take over the ‘pitch and putt’ area of the course could provide another 25 years of burial space, according to leading councillors.

But the idea has been heavily opposed by residents – with more than 370 raising objections with Bracknell Forest Council.

Peter Moyle, 46, uses the course regularly with his two sons. He told the News that he tried to put up a ‘save Downshire golf course’ poster on the site but was not allowed to by management.

Everyone Active, who run the golf course, told the News that its policy is to ‘maintain a neutral stance on matters of public debate or controversy’.

Spokesperson Mark Tenant said: “We respect the council’s decision-making process and their responsibility to address the needs of the entire community.

“We recognise that this decision affects some of our golf players, and we are committed to working with the council to ensure a smooth transition and to explore ways to enhance other golfing facilities at Downshire Golf Complex.”

Speaking about the plans at a recent Overview and Scrutiny Commission, Councillor Jefferies said that Everyone Active had ‘pre-empted’ the decision after plans first emerged in 2020.

Councillor Iskandar Jefferies, executive member for leisure, culture, public protection and democracy member said: “Our current cemetery is coming up to its lifespan. As you know when Bracknell was built, we are a new town, and the cemetery was built with a lifespan.

Cllr Jefferies warned that if the expansion does not happen, ‘in a few years from now, residents will not be able to bury their loved ones’, which would be ‘really sad to see’.

Everyone Active confirmed that it had first been informed in 2020 and that it ‘understands the council’s decision is based on a critical need for burial space’.

The company invested £270,000 into the driving range to offer ‘interactive games for all ages and abilities’ to address the potential loss of the pitch and putt.

This area is currently used by more than 150 children ever week, according to a resident.

Bracknell Forest Council’s executive will decide on whether to grant the ‘appropriation of land’ for the graveyard at a meeting on November 12.