St Albans City & District Council will spend £172,000 redesigning a single hole at Batchwood Golf Course due to safety concerns, it has been revealed.
The ninth hole at the council-owned facility requires renovation to prevent stray golf balls from threatening nearby properties.
This marks the third redesign of the same hole in just six years.
The Liberal Democrat-run council stated the existing layout has been "causing a health and safety issue to nearby residents and general public".
This marks the third redesign of the same hole in just six years (Stock Image)
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Full membership at Batchwood Golf Course costs almost £800 per year.
A contract worth £106,718 has been awarded to Grassplant Ltd to "undertake the construction of the redesigned hole layout".
However, council budget documents revealed last week that the full cost to the authority would be £172,000.
The council owns the golf course, which has become a recurring expense due to safety concerns.
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Chris Traill, the council's strategic director for community and place, defended the expenditure.
"It is an expensive business spending money on this is not something the council has undertaken lightly," she said.
She emphasised that safety was paramount in the decision-making process: "Having taken advice and implemented a range of alternative measures to address issues, this reflects the scale of importance of the safety of our community," she said.
The council official explained that the scheme would "redirect play away from neighbouring properties to safeguard the public and homes from golf ball strikes".
The authority insists the redesign is necessary despite its significant cost.
The leader of the council's Conservative group has strongly criticised the expenditure.
Matt Cowley said: "Time and again in St Albans district, we see taxpayers' money squandered."
He questioned the priorities of the Liberal Democrat administration.
The redesign aims to redirect play away from neighbouring properties
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"This latest example should surely not be a priority against a backdrop of cuts to public services under this Lib Dem administration," Cowley stated.
The Conservative councillor vowed to pursue the matter further, adding: "I know taxpayers will think the council has questions to answer I intend to ask them on residents' behalf."
