Duke in club fight

Feb 17 2006 Dumfries & Galloway Standard

THE BUCCLEUCH Estate, Britain’s biggest private landlord, is facing strong opposition to a proposed development in London.

It is involved in a joint venture to turn Lambs Squash Club in Islington into a development of 75 flats and offices after buying it for £4 million.

However, it has created a backlash from the 1,500 members of the club whose opposition has forced London councillors to knock back the initial plan.

Ken Pottinger, organiser of the campaign to save the club, known as the “Wimbledon of Squash”, said: “All of the members are strongly opposed to this plan which would see one of the most famous squash courts in the world, bulldozed.

“We have managed to block their plans for the past six months and we have even made an appeal to the good nature of the Duke of Buccleuch to save the club or to incorporate the club on the ground floor of the development.”

The club was sold by founder Mike Corby to a company called Clan Real Estates, which is jointly owned by the Duke of Buccleuch’s estate and London-based Native Land.

Mr Pottinger continued: “It would be a loss to the sport if this was closed as some of the world’s most famous players have been here.

“But we will continue to fight the proposals and have had backing from people all over London.”

Proposals are set to be put forward to Islington Council for the second time at the end of this month.

Campaigners are hoping the application will be rejected under government planning guidance which states that major sports facilities can only be redeveloped if they are “surplus to requirement”.

Buccleuch Estates is one of the biggest private landlords in the UK.

It is based at Drumlanrig Castle in Thornhill and owned by the 80-year-old duke who is estimated to be worth £450 million.

At the time of going to press, no one from Buccleuch Estates had commented on the plans.