A golf course in a stretch of green belt land could be used for “landscaping” but will not have building waste dumped on it, the council says.

Whitewebbs Park Golf Course and surrounding woodland – a 241-acre site at the borough’s northern border – is being leased out for 25 years by Enfield Council in a bid to raise cash.

The council wants leisure providers to submit “creative bids for the use of the site” – meaning its continued use as a golf course is not guaranteed.

Some of the proposed uses – including spreading soil and other material over the golf course as part of a “landscaping” scheme – have alarmed residents.

Sean Wilkinson, who lives on Lea Road, pointed out that the original marketing prospectus drawn up by property firm Knight Frank said the site had the capacity for 150,000 to 200,000 cubic metres of “inert material” – which could include building waste.

The council says this was a mistake, and the document has now been changed to refer to “soil” or “specified soil and aggregates” – such as “sand, gravel and crushed stones”.

Any proposed development would first have to be approved by the council’s planning committee.

But Mr Wilkinson claimed Whitewebbs Park was being “privatised” and the council could have done more to make the golf course profitable.

He said: “The park has been more or less left to its own devices for years. There is a nice bit of woodland with footpaths used by walkers.

“We are supposed to be getting exercise and having a good environment, and they are trying to privatise a park.

“What would make sense is putting a decent café in, and a few facilities like a children’s playground.

“They could then charge a decent rent to the café, and that would cover the cost of running the golf course.”

Mr Wilkinson added many people in the area were not aware of the council’s plans for the site and claimed they had not been well publicised.

He said: “This is a much-used park. I am not a golfer, but it looks lovely. I am there every day.”

Mr Wilkinson has set up a website with information and updates on the proposals, and many of those commenting on his blog want to keep the golf course and woodland as it is.

An Enfield Council spokesperson said attempts had been made to boost revenue from the site but it continued to lose money, coinciding with “a general decline in the popularity of golf being seen across the UK”.

The spokesperson confirmed bids could include “some or all of the land adjacent to the golf course” but “must demonstrate a wide and inclusive benefit to the local community that are also in line with planning policies”.

They added: “As part of any agreement, the council will require the current level of public access across the park to be maintained.

“Local people will see an improvement in facilities and no loss of activities such as dog walking, bike riding, café provision, etc.

“Our intention is to attract greater numbers of more diverse visitors following the investment in the park by an external leisure provider.

“Any development or changes of use to the site will be subject to planning permission and will need to comply with local planning polices, which seek to protect green and open spaces.

“As part of any planning process, there will be the usual statutory consultation period where the local community will have the opportunity to comment.”