A proposal to create two new golf holes on land west of Gorleston Golf Club has been recommended for approval subject to conditions.
Howard Thornton, club president of Gorleston Golf Club, applied for planning permission to change the use of 6.39 hectares of agricultural land to create two additional golf holes.
Gorleston Golf Club has an existing 18-hole golf course located by the North Sea. (Image: Google Maps)
The two new golf holes would replace two of the existing holes which are part of the current 18-hole course.
Holes 4 and 5 are located close to the North Sea-facing cliff and suffering from the effects of coastal erosion.
The proposal seeks to address the impending loss of these holes and reorganise the course, with the two proposed holes located away from the current coastal erosion threat.
Proposed site plan of Gorleston Golf Club. (Image: Great Yarmouth Borough Council)
Only two of the current holes are located inland, with much of the current course located with an area identified as being at risk from the sea.
The golf club identified two of the existing holes that are at immediate risk of being lost to coastal erosion.
Gorleston Golf Club believes it could lose two holes to coastal erosion. (Image: Google Maps)
These two holes would be given up and two new holes created inland, increasing the area of the golf club.
Despite the increased area, it would remain an 18-hole golf course.
Furthermore, the proposed development would involve landscaping the greens and tee boxes serving the planned golf holes would be created.
Site location plan of Gorleston Golf Club. (Image: Great Yarmouth Borough Council)
The report says the additional holes are “required to secure the long-term future” of the club and to “mitigate the impacts of coastal erosion on the existing course”.
It is considered an “appropriate form of roll-back development” and would protect the club as “a viable business, sports facility and community facility”.
People enjoying a round of golf at Gorleston Golf Club. (Image: Archant)
The Local Highway Authority and Hopton Parish Council raised no objection to the plans.
A development management committee meeting is scheduled to take place regarding the proposal on Wednesday, April 8.