Major Broome Manor Golf Couse upgrades given approval

But this time, the bosses at Broome Manor Golf Complex don’t want to use land already used by golfers for their new plan, which has made getting approval for the new scheme much easier and less controversial.

Twigmarket Ltd, which runs the complex has been given permission to make a much bigger driving range, build a new clubhouse and 75-bed hotel as well as new sports facilities – football pitches, an adventure golf course, a high ropes adventure course and padel courts.

The company says such diversification is needed to keep the core business of golf going: “The proposed developments to Broome Manor Golf Course are a suitable use for the site, adding new facilities that significantly improve the variety of activities offered by the site, and make the site more accessible to a wider range of users.

“Most importantly these plans will substantially assist in securing the long-term financial viability of the site as a golf course thereby removing uncertainty over its use for many years to come.

(Image: Dave Cox)

The application added that without new facilities: “the structural decline in popularity and participation in golf continues it is likely that at some future date, the golf activity will cease and make way for alternative uses on the site.”

The approved application will allow the construction of a three-storey driving range, although hitting bays will only be on the first two floors, with seating on a roof terrace above.

The existing clubhouse will be demolished and a new one constructed, and a 75-bed hotel can go up. Many of these changes have already been approved in principle in earlier planning applications but not put into effect.

The most significant new element of the plans for other sports is eight all-weather small-sided football pitches and four covered padel courts.

At the start of 2023, Twigmarket Ltd had another proposal which would have seen the site expanded particularly with football pitches constructed, turned down. One of the most significant issues was that three holes of the nine-hole golf course would have been sacrificed.

Relations between many of the complex users and management were severely strained, the golfers were angry at the potential loss of a nationally accredited nine-hole course, and the chief executive of Twigmarket  Jeremy Sturgess accused them of being opposed to the changes because they were “ a snobbish elite”.