Four golf clubs have been left reeling by massive Bradford Council rent rises.

And Bingley St Ives Golf Club, which has suffered a 150 per cent rise, has appointed a firm of chartered surveyors to fight the increase which it says is unjust and unparalleled across the North of England.

For five years it paid £30,000 a year but that has jumped to £75,000. Director David Priestley said: "We did expect the local authority to try and increase the rent but we didn't expect such an increase.

"We wrote to 250 clubs in Lancashire, Yorkshire and Humberside seeking information and have had replies from 150 so far and none have had an increase approaching ours.''

He added: "We believe there is a case to fight and would like all the clubs affected - ourselves, Riddlesden, Headley and Bradford Moor - to get together to provide a united front.

"There is a general misconception that golf clubs, private ones in particular, are a very affluent closed shop. That was true in years past but no longer.''

The club became a private members' club in 1990, having been run by Bradford Council. It took on a 75-year lease and has since spent almost £1million on a new clubhouse, greenkeeper's facilities and improving the course to an acceptable standard. It has 550 members in all categories including 330 full male members who pay £516 a year in subscriptions.

Peter Hughes, president of Headley Golf Club, Thornton, said the club had been hit by an increase of just under 150 per cent. He said the rent rise from £4,250 to £10,000 would mean an across-the-board leap in subscriptions from £298 to around £325.

"We are in negotiations with the Council but at the end of the day they are the landlord and we don't have any choice."

The signing on fee at Hedley golf club is £325 and at Bingley St Ives is £600, followed by the annual subscription.

Riddlesden Golf Club is also believed to have been hit hard with an increase of around 500-600 per cent though a lower level in cash terms. A spokesman said he did not wish to comment while negotiations were taking place.

A Council property services spokesman said: "The Council has a duty to ensure it receives proper rent for all its land and properties. We have therefore appointed a firm of chartered surveyors which specialises in the valuation of leisure property to negotiate new rents on our behalf with four golf clubs in the district.''

He added: "In the event of the parties failing to agree, the president of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors can appoint an independent expert to resolve the matter.''

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