A former country club that was once earmarked for a housing development is set to reopen.

Bushey Country Club in High Street will open no later than October 23, according to Hertsmere Borough Council, which owns the site. 

The local authority confirmed that the former golf course will be available as a green space for the public to enjoy.

Watford Observer: The grounds have been closed since 2018.The grounds have been closed since 2018. (Image: Google Street View)

A spokesperson added: “We will issue some publicity nearer the date of reopening with more details.

“We also continue to consider the long-term future of this key council-owned site with active discussions ongoing, and further updates will be presented at cabinet and full council meetings in the near future.”

The move comes after the land had been recommended for the build of around 200 homes, a country park, and a community hub in 2021.

But this never came to fruition.

Maxie Allen, Liberal Democrat councillor for Bushey Park, said: “We’re delighted that negotiations with the tenants have been successful, allowing residents to enjoy parts of the grounds for the first time in five years.

“We also welcome the formation of the new council panel, which will finally drive forward some real progress on the site’s long-term future as a public park and community hub.”

In July of this year, some people told the Watford Observer they were concerned with the number of new builds being built in the area.

One woman was concerned with the country club’s site and called for it to be turned into a community project.  

The country club had closed in 2018 because it lost nearly £700,000 in 2017, equivalent to around 10 per cent of Hertsmere's council tax requirement.

Since then, it has been running as a wedding and events venue.

Most recently a planning application was submitted to turn the golf driving range into offices.

If approved, a prospective tenant would be able to change the use class at Bushey Driving Range on the lower ground floor of Bushey Country Club to offices and build a brick wall with windows looking out towards the field.