A COASTAL golf club is to be sold off despite objections from local residents.Tendring District Council is selling Clacton Golf Club, on the town's sea front, in order to raise a “substantial” amount of money - although it is expected to remain a golf club.

A COASTAL golf club is to be sold off despite objections from local residents.

Tendring District Council is selling Clacton Golf Club, on the town's sea front, in order to raise a “substantial” amount of money - although it is expected to remain a golf club.

The club is one of many pieces of land declared surplus to requirement and sold off by the council in a bid to generate funds.

The council received eight letters of objection to the proposed sale, but yesterday's cabinet meeting decided to put the golf club on the open market.

People concerned about the sale fear the club will become more expensive and exclusive.

Member Sally Davies claimed: “The costs of playing golf at Clacton will rise considerably and the club will therefore necessarily become exclusive, not inclusive as it is now.”

The Bennison family - parents Wilf and Lis and son Harry - have been members of the club since 1997. They said: “Clacton on Sea Golf Club has been part of the local community since 1892 and is not used just by club members.

“Many local people have enjoyed its facilities at weddings and other functions. Where is the sense of disposing of one of Tendring's finest assets apart from the coastline?”

“Although we are told that the site will remain a golf club, who knows what will happen when the council disposes of the lease?”

They added: “We trust that the council sees sense and doesn't go down in history as the ones who gave away another part of our heritage.”

A Tendring District Council spokesman was unable to say how much money will be raised from the sale.

No-one from Clacton Golf Club was able to comment about the decision yesterday.