for community Health and wellbeing

Urgent: Preserve SBC’s Highworth Old Golf Course for Community Health and Wellbeing

Dear Swindon Borough Councilors,

I am writing to express my strong support for the preservation of Swindon Borough Council’s, Highworth Old Golf Course as a publicly accessible nature park, and to urge SBC to prioritize the health and wellbeing of its residents in your decision-making.

This rewilded green space is already a vital community asset, and its protection offers profound and measurable health benefits:

• ·Reduced stress and anxiety: This beautiful natural environment lowers cortisol levels and promotes calm. A 2020 study found that people living near green spaces had a 20% lower risk of anxiety disorders.
• Lower depression rates: Access to green space is linked to a 33% reduction in depression risk.
• Cognitive restoration: Nature improves focus and reduces mental fatigue, especially important for children and older adults. Our survey has shown that the Old Golf Course is used daily by hundreds of people spanning the ages.
• Children exposed to green spaces show better emotional regulation, lower ADHD symptoms, and improved academic performance. 
• Green spaces provide natural settings for learning, especially for children. The space is used by many schools from Highworth and Swindon.

• Increased physical activity: People living near green spaces are 24% more likely to meet recommended physical activity levels. Our survey supports this with 500+ people using this space daily for exercise.
• Reduced obesity risk: Children with access to green space have a 9% lower risk of obesity. A 2021 study found that better access to green space was a strong predictor of lower adult obesity rates, with a measurable reduction in obesity prevalence where green space was more accessible.  The Old Golf Course is within a 15-minute walk for most Highworth residents, aligning with the Government’s “15-Minute Neighbourhood” policy.
• Physical activity in green environments has been shown to reduce blood pressure, and lower the risk of type 2 diabetes—all of which are closely linked to obesity 
• Lower cardiovascular disease: Regular exposure to green space is associated with a 16% lower risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Improved immune function: Contact with environments with the wealth of biodiversity of the old golf course boosts microbiome diversity, which supports immune health.
• Better respiratory health: The abundance of vegetation on the golf course improves air quality by filtering pollutants, reducing asthma and respiratory issues.

• The site is already used by hundreds of walkers, dog owners, nature photographers, community groups, schools and families daily. It fosters social interaction, reduces loneliness, and builds community cohesion.
• The proposed café and nature centre, outlined in Highworth’s Local Plan, would further enhance its role as a social hub.

• The old golf course emphasizes “Access for All”, ensuring inclusive use by people of all ages and abilities, including those with disabilities.  The site is wheelchair and mobility scooter accessible.
• The old golf course is especially important for low-income households, who may lack private gardens or transport to other parks. Unlike gyms or sports clubs, this green space is a free and inclusive place to enjoy exercise and well-being.

• The rewilded site supports mental health through nature immersion, a proven therapeutic approach.
• Biodiversity Net Gain measures—such as the stunning wildlife (for example deer, owls, bats), the meadows, and rare orchids & beetles — enhance both ecological and emotional wellbeing.

Preserving this SBC space aligns with Swindon’s Green Infrastructure Strategy and national health priorities. It is a cost-effective, preventative health intervention that reduces pressure on NHS services.

I urge you to support Highworth Town Council’s proposal to designate the Old Golf Course as a Local Green Space and Nature Park. This is not just about land—it’s about lives, health, and the future of our community.

Thank you for your time and commitment to the wellbeing of Swindon Borough residents.

Warm regards,

Nikki McKnight

On behalf of Action Group for Saving the Old Golf Course.