AN MP has called for golf courses to be opened up as public space under coronavirus lockdown.

Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas promoted a petition calling on the Government to let people use golf courses to exercise.

She argued it was “common sense” to open up as much green space as possible so the public can practise social distancing.

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“If we can use conference centres as pop-up hospitals and hotels to accommodate NHS staff, then surely we can use golf courses to give people somewhere to get fresh air and exercise while keeping a safe distance from others,” the Green MP said.

"In Brighton and Hove, we are lucky to have public golf courses like at Hollingbury Park, where the public can already walk and the Dyke club also has some public access, which I welcome.  

"We also have the Downs.

"The initiative which I’m supporting is a national one, not one specific to our city, with a particular focus on areas where parks may either be closed or non-existent, and where golf courses provide one of the few areas of green space that people can easily access. 

Debate over Brighton’s golf courses reached fever pitch earlier this year when Brighton and Hove City Council approved plans to “re-wild” Waterhall Golf Course.

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