PLANNING chiefs have turned down proposals for an extension at Warrington Golf Club despite a warning that the club needs it to help secure its future.
They were told the club, in London Road, Appleton, in common with te rest of the golf industry, had been in decline since the 2007 recession, with some clubs closing.
Members who lost their jobs decided that costly leisure pursuits were the first thing to be dropped
Other nearby clubs had combated the declining situation by providing indoor golf simulators which enable members to practise and receive coaching even when bad weather made playing outdoors impossible.
The club wished to build a rear single-story extension to provide simulators and more space for social functions. It would not be visible from the road, nor from any public spaces or nearby houses.
With some 60 golf clubs in Cheshire and therefore reduced member numbers for each club, leading to reduced profits, golf clubs need to ensure maximum use of sites throughout the year. This had led to many local clubs diversifying to include providing golf simulators.
Warrington Golf Club was founded in 1903. It had 650 playing members and a further 200 socIal members. It employed 20 full-time staff as well as a number of part-time staff – all from the local area.
Essentially the site was to enable people to play golf, but in order to bolster income the bar and restaurant were also used for social events for members, as well as weddings, funerals and birthday parties.
The weather last year had a significant effect on the income of the club with the closure of the
course due to weather conditions, reducing the green fees taken and the associated trade in the clubhouse.
If golf simulators were installed, the Professionals at the club would be able to provide
members and guests with lessons in comfortable conditions throughout the winter, generating much-needed income.
But planning officers said the golf club was in the Green Belt and an extension to the clubhouse represented an inappropriate development in the Green Belt.
They believed golf simulators could be accommodated within the existing clubhouse.
6 Comments
Amazing that WBC use ‘Green Belt’ as an issue when they see fit. What about the 4000 houses they want to build in Grappenhall, is that not on ‘GREEN BELT’ too?
WBC
This is a ridiculous refusal.If the club goes under you are responsible.
From a member of Lymm GC.
I expect nothing less from the clueless labour planning committee. They’re not on local residents or businesses side they only want big business they can profit from. They are a disgrace, and your local councillors will back them up as well
Absolute Joke denying this planning permission. Saving Green Belt??? This Council just agrees planning permission that inflates their pockets and doesn’t care about the people who live here. The roads are appalling, footpaths are a health hazard, & yet they are raking in so much more money from Council Tax from the 1000’s of new homes being built which will help towards their ridiculous failed investments in companies owned (indirectly) by the very same councillors 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
Greenbelt! The area that is planned to extend is under a balcony and is paved. Does not look out on anybody other than members playing the course. Maybe WBC are expecting another brown envelope for their efforts in passing a planning application.
Councillors must have been black balled on membership at some point