Crown Golf, the UK’s largest privately owned golf course operator, has appointed London-based investment manager Fairway Capital to oversee a comprehensive regeneration strategy aimed at transforming eight major golf sites into a £1 billion-plus real estate portfolio.
The programme will deliver over 3,000 homes – of which nearly 1,000 are designated as affordable housing – while retaining high-quality golfing and leisure facilities.
The move marks one of the most significant privately led initiatives in the housing sector, with the 1,432-acre (580-hectare) portfolio spanning prime sites across Greater London, the South East, and the South West.
It includes the flagship St Mellion Estate in Cornwall, home to championship courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Alan Leather and a 4-star resort with hotel, spa, and conference amenities.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Fairway Capital has been appointed to advise on strategic planning, development, and asset optimisation.
Pic credit: Crown Golf Group
The firm will also manage engagement with developers and planning authorities to deliver high-quality housing, commercial space, and environmental improvements aligned with government priorities.
With Labour expected to form the next government, Crown Golf and Fairway Capital are positioning the portfolio to support the party’s pledge to build 1.5 million new homes over five years.
The regeneration strategy reflects the design ethos promoted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner – prioritising well-designed, traditionally styled homes on leafy, green streets, with strong environmental and community credentials.
The phased programme, expected to unfold over six years, will focus on enhancing the long-term value of Crown Golf’s assets while supporting Bangarra Group’s broader sustainability and social impact goals.
Bangarra Group, Crown Golf’s Australia-based parent company, is a prominent family office with philanthropic commitments through the Bennelong Foundation and global investment operations totalling £5 billion under management.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Several sites in urban and edge-of-settlement locations are earmarked for affordable housing delivery, community infrastructure, and environmental enhancement. In addition to the 1,000 affordable units, proposals include village centres, schools, and country parks. The average price of market-sale homes is projected to be £360,000 – underscoring a focus on accessible ownership opportunities.
Pic credit: Crown Golf Group
At the St Mellion Estate, more than 200 homes are under consideration. Housing would be delivered on land deemed surplus to operational requirements, ensuring the continued operation of the resort and signature golf courses.
GREY BELT
Across the portfolio, Crown Golf’s golf operations – employing over 500 people and generating annual revenues exceeding £18 million – will continue uninterrupted.
The strategy also reflects a shift in the national conversation around land use. With the Labour Party advocating for the reclassification of low-quality greenfield or “grey belt” land, Crown Golf and Fairway Capital have identified car parks, unmanaged scrubland, and other underutilised spaces for potential redevelopment. These areas will be masterplanned to deliver higher environmental performance and biodiversity gains compared to their current use.
STRONG PEDIGREE
Fairway Capital brings a strong pedigree in securing planning approvals on complex and sensitive sites. Its recent unanimous planning consent from Westminster City Council for a £50 million mixed-use scheme in Belgravia was the first in the area since the 1950s.
The firm is led by George Brooksbank and supported by a team with over 200 years of collective experience and a track record of delivering in excess of £1 billion in real estate projects with returns consistently above 20% IRR.
Simon Blagden CBE, newly appointed advisory director at Fairway Capital and former Chair of Building Digital UK, has already participated in planning roundtable discussions with senior Labour figures to align the Crown Golf strategy with evolving policy frameworks.
SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITIES
Brooksbank, Chief Executive of Fairway Capital, says: “The portfolio of golf courses is one of the largest in the UK and presents significant opportunities to for strategic repositioning and value optimisation through the delivery of high-quality development, alongside retained golf, leisure and environmental enhancement.
“The portfolio is ideal for responding to the new design codes for development championed by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.”
Pic credit: Crown Golf Group
ENTREPRENEURIAL APPROACH
Campbell Fleming, Chairman of Crown Golf Group and Anil Nair, Executive Chairman of Bangarra Group add: “Fairway Capital has substantial real estate investment, planning and design expertise and a proven track record in managing housing delivery. Both companies have an entrepreneurial approach and shared strategic vision for the portfolio and Fairway Capital will help ensure that development proposals are aligned with Labour Government and local planning policy, which is the key to successful housing delivery.”
STEADFAST ASSET
Pic credit: Bennelong Foundation
Jeff Chapman, Founder of Bangarra Group, says: “Earlier this year, the Chancellor underscored in her Budget speech the critical importance of strong and consistent economic growth for a post-Brexit UK.
“In today’s volatile trade environment, property remains a steadfast asset – unshackled by tariffs or transient policies. It is the foundation upon which the UK can reassert itself as one of the world’s great nations.”
FRESH APPROACH
Brooksbank adds: “Crown Golf has been under the ownership of Bangarra Group since the 1990s, but previous efforts to repurpose its extensive land holdings for housing had been hindered by restrictive planning policies and a reluctance to develop greenfield or rural land.
“The new Labour Government, with housing policy led by Angela Rayner, brings a fresh approach to housing delivery – embracing development on underutilised greybelt land and showing new openness to appropriate greenfield sites. With a commitment to overhaul and accelerate the planning system, there’s now real momentum. In response, Crown Golf has appointed Fairway Capital as Investment Adviser and General Partner.
“We’re actively reviewing the portfolio to identify sites suitable for residential development, whilst preserving core golf operations.
“One of our Directors, Simon Blagden CBE, has engaged directly with government to understand new planning frameworks – including ‘leafy lane’ design codes and fast-track housing guidelines.
“The opportunity is significant: the Crown Golf portfolio – one of the UK’s largest – could deliver over 3,000 new homes, including at least 1,000 affordable units, across key locations in Greater London, the Home Counties, and South-West England.
“This initiative is a vital early test case for Labour’s housing agenda. We’re also committed to community-focused development.
“By incorporating schools, parks, and public amenities into larger sites, we aim to deliver lasting value to local residents. Greybelt and greenfield sites offer a faster, more viable alternative to complex brownfield projects, helping to unlock both housing delivery and long-term asset value.”
