Parts of a historic golf course where the Battle of Barnet took place could be turned into industrial landfill under “staggering” new plans.

Old Fold Manor, in High Barnet, wants to use some of its grounds to dispose of waste for a private contractor.

The Old Fold Lane club has applied for landlord consent from Barnet Council, but would also require planning permission from the authority should that be granted.

Members voted in favour of the move at the club’s annual general meeting earlier this month, though opponents say the landfill will create an eyesore.

The club's management is yet to divulge details of the plans, though one disgruntled member said the land in question is located around the 6th, 7th and 8th holes.

It is thought around 60 poplar trees would be felled to make way for the waste disposal, with replacement saplings planted elsewhere.

One club member, who did not want to be named, said: “The amount of disruption this will cause is huge – it will get completely out of hand.

“The visual impact of losing the trees would be quite staggering and I really don’t want to see it happen.

“I’m not alone in opposing this. These would be the first major alterations to the course in 50 years.”

Celebrated golf course architect Harry Colt designed the 18-hole layout at the club, which was founded in 1910.

It has a Grade-II listed club house and boasts on its website it is located at “a historic venue where the Battle of Barnet was fought in 1471”.

Barnet Council’s Conservative leader Councillor Richard Cornelius has already expressed concern over the proposals.

In a statement, he said: “Personally I am opposed to this as it doesn’t sound like a sensible idea at all. I look forward to the planning process scrutinising it closely.”

Club manager Adrian Jackson told the Times Series the plans are linked to “improvements and changes at the course” and said various reports have been compiled regarding any environmental or visual impacts.

He said: “At this stage, details of those reports are not in the public domain but that will change if and when we move to the planning stage.

“We are fundamentally a private members golf club and our members come first. To continue trading under the guise of a golf club we clearly have to ensure we have the best design and playing surface around.”