Hurlston Hall Golf Club in Scarisbrick is set to be granted planning permission to keep its golf practice area.
The club, on Hurlston Lane, created the new facility, including green, nets and lighting, in July 2021, changing an agricultural area to leisure use.
A retrospective planning application will be decided by the West Lancashire Borough Council Planning Committee this evening (Thursday, 19th January 2023).
The council’s Planning department is recommending councillors to formally approve the scheme, saying that it “would be in keeping with the existing Golf and Country Club uses of the wider site”.
The plans have been ‘called in’ for discussion by Cllr Fowler to consider “any potential impact on the Green Belt and surrounding vista and over development”.
In the report to councillors, West Lancashire’s Chief Planning Chief said: “Hurlston Hall Golf and Country Club is located off the A570 Southport Road. A private access road, Hurlston Lane, leads to a golf course, clubhouse, driving range and leisure facilities associated with the business.
“The application site comprises approx. 700 sq m of land located to the west of the private access road.
“The application is retrospective in form and proposes the change of use of the land to a golf practice area to be used as a practice facility for golfers and enhanced tuition opportunities.
“The area has been landscaped to provide two practice greens and bunkers. Two practice nets and three tee mats have been located in the northern corner of the site close to the walkway leading to the first tee of the golf course.
“The proposed use for the land as a golf practice area is considered to be an outdoor sport and recreation use and therefore the principle of the development is acceptable.
“Due to the siting and low level density and nature of the development it is considered the creation of bunkers and practice green would not adversely impact on the openness of the Green Belt and would not conflict with purposes of including land within it.
“The changes to the appearance of the site are minimal as much of the land remains as grassland with low-lying bunkers. The proposal sits in close proximity to the existing golf course and is in keeping with the appearance of that existing use.
“Due to the position of the development in relation to the nearest residential properties and having regard to the proposed use of the land it is considered that there would be no adverse impact on the amenity of any residential property as a result of noise or disturbance due to the proposed floodlighting.
“The proposal forms part of the Golf and Country Club which is served by a large car park located to the north of the application site and accessed via the existing private road. It is considered that no additional parking is required to serve the proposed golf practice area.”
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