Golfers who packed the gallery at Swindon’s civic offices were left as angry and frustrated as if they had three-putted as a decision on a very controversial plan to redevelop a golf course was delayed again.

The golfers had brought banners, which they’d left outside, as they filled the public gallery with most in opposition to the proposals by the owner of Broome Manor Golf Complex to build new facilities at the site, including a new driving range and eight all weather football pitches.

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The point of contention is that the pitches, and more parking for their users would be built on three holes of the nine-hole course at the complex.

Twigmarket Ltd, which owns the complex, says the proposals are needed to diversify in order to keep the business going - it said the market for golf was ageing and diminishing.

The golfers say a nine-hole course is needed especially for beginners or those who are not able to enjoy an 18-hole round for reasons of their ability, age or physical condition.

The application had been due before the committee in October but had been pulled at the last minute to allow Sport England to comment on the scheme. With the quango having given its qualified support, the scene was set for the planning committee members to hear the arguments and come to a decision.

But then one member Coun Vijay Manro said he had received many emails from the public about the plan, but he would base his decision solely on the arguments in the chamber.

The council’s principal solicitor Craig Hallett told the committee: “It’s in the code of conduct that all correspondence should be forwarded on to the planning officer as soon as possible.”

When another five or six councillors also said they’d received emails, an adjournment was called.

After 10 minutes Mr Hallett said: “It is important all lobbying correspondence is sent to the planning officer – there may be material considerations the officer hasn’t been aware of. There may be non-material considerations the member needs to be told about.

“Not sending the correspondence leaves the council open to a judicial review if opponents think some considerations haven’t been taken into account, or a costs application if the applicant thinks members have based their decision on non-material considerations.”

With possibly more than 100 emails having been sent to members, Mr Hallett said there was not enough time to read and consider them and proposed a deferment until January next year.

To cries of “shambles” from the gallery, members agreed. Committee chairman Lawrence Elliott apologised to the public and adjourned the meeting to allow them to leave.