Golf club expansion plans approved

The next Tiger Woods could be honing their swing near Newtown after plans to extend a golf facility near Montgomery were given the green light by county planners.

In September last year, plans to add more  bays to the current floodlit driving range facility Lakeside Golf Club at Garthmyl were lodged with the council by owners Mr and Mrs Jones.

The application includes erecting a building which would provide a shop a viewing area and toilet facilities as well as a new parking area will also be provided next to the new facility, which will include two disabled parking bays.

The new building to provide a shop, refreshments and storage will measure will be mostly finished in red brick walls which matches the club house which is also a popular restaurant located just 80 metres to the northeast.

A driving range is where golfers hone their swing by hitting golf balls in practice, in the hope of being able to transfer their game onto the golf course.

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 16relates 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 per cent of the parking spaces need to have fast charge electric vehicle charging points.

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