Golf range plans approved

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

Plans have been approved to extend the driving range and add more facilities and parking at Lakeside Golf Club.

Last year plans to add more bays to the current floodlit driving range at the club in Garthmyl were lodged with the council by its owners.

The application includes erecting a building which would provide a shop, viewing area and toilet facilities as well as a new parking area, which will include two disabled bays.

The new building will be mostly finished in red brick walls which matches the club house that doubles up as a popular restaurant just 80 metres to the northeast.

Berriew Community Council, which covers Garthmyl, supported the proposal when they discussed it at a meeting last October.

In his report planning officer Luke Woosnam said: “It is an existing established tourism business and will be well integrated with its design and appearance into the landscape.”

He explained that Planning Policy Wales technical advice note 16 relates to sport, recreation and open space.

Mr Woosnam said: “Given that the existing use has already been established as a golf course and this development forms an extension to its golfing range together with the erection of an ancillary building, it is considered the development is fully compliant with the national guidance.

“The design is considered appropriate for this type of development and it is not considered that the buildings would detract or adversely affect the surrounding area. The recommendation is one of conditional consent.”

Conditions placed on the planning permission includes one that expects 10% of the parking spaces to have fast charge electric vehicle charging points.

Lakeside Golf Course opened in 2007 and the driving range was added in 2014.