 Merrow councillor, Sheridan Westlake, has updated an update from Guildford Borough Council on the status of the new golf course near the Merrow Park and Ride.
At a meeting of the Full Council on 4 December, he asked the Chairman of the Planning Committee: What information has the Council received on the potential (a) construction and (b) opening dates for the (i) Clubhouse, (ii) its own associated car park and (iii) practice ground for pitch and putt, at the new Clandon Park Golf Course next to the Merrow Park and Ride; if there have been any proposed changes to the design and location from the approved plans granted previously; if the conditions of approval require the clubhouse to be built before the golf course can be opened; what recent discussions has the Council had with the developers (1) in general and (2) on allowing use of the Park and Ride car park for the golf club; and what discussions has the Council had with Surrey County Council on all these issues.
In reply, Cllr Keith Taylor explained:
(a) construction and (b) opening dates for the (i) Clubhouse,
We understand that the clubhouse will not be constructed in the immediate future, due to the economic downturn. The developer is in the early stages of discussing a small building with officers that will meet their future needs when the first 9 holes are opened. Such a building would need planning permission in its own right. The developer’s idea is in the short-term to open 9 holes of the golf course. I think he is working towards late spring/early summer 2010. He wants a building where golfers can pay, have toilets etc.
(ii) its own associated car park and (iii) practice ground for pitch and putt,
We understand that the parking provision and practice pitch and putt will be provided in accordance with the approved plans. There are no conditions on the planning permission requiring the clubhouse car park to be completed before the opening of the first 9 holes. The developer could partially implement the layout of the car park. If, however, the developer wished to vary the layout of the approved parking provision then a new planning application would need to be submitted to vary the relevant condition (condition 15). The timescale for construction of the practice pitch and putt has been approved to be in phase 2, along with holes 10-18. However the permission has been part implemented and therefore these items can be constructed at any time.
if there have been any proposed changes to the design and location from the approved plans granted previously
Any significant changes to the design or position of items etc from the approved plans would need a new planning application. Officers have seen revised clubhouse details at pre-application stage but to-date these have not been submitted for formal consideration.
if the conditions of approval require the clubhouse to be built before the golf course can be opened
There are no conditions on the planning permission requiring the clubhouse to be built prior to the opening of the golf course. There are conditions restricting the hours that the clubhouse can be used for (condition 37) and there are a number of conditions requiring details to be submitted for approval prior to construction of the clubhouse building, e.g. sound insulation, flue details, slab details of the building.
what recent discussions has the Council had with the developers (1) in general and (2) on allowing use of the Park and Ride car park for the golf club; and what discussions has the Council had with Surrey County Council on all these issues.
Apart from the above discussion a little while ago in relation to the building there have been no other recent discussions. Planning officers have had no discussion with the developer on the use of the park and ride car park for the golf course. Such a move would require planning permission and is unlikely to be supported by officers.
4th December 2009 Tags: Merrow Park & Ride |
