Swindon golf bosses urged NOT to appeal after development plans rejected
Proposals to renovate Broome Manor Golf Complex were declined earlier this month
Last updated 26th Jan 2023
Bosses of Broome Manor Golf Complex are being urged not to appeal, after their plans to redevelop the site were rejected.
Swindon Borough Council turned down the proposals from Twigmarket Limited, which leases and runs the site, earlier this month.
The developer wants to build a double-decker driving range, adventure golf course and additional parking facilities, as well as eight all-weather football pitches.
However, building those pitches would mean three holes of the nine-hole golf course are demolished or moved, causing angst amongst members of Broome Manor Golf Club.
Many of them objected to the plans and voiced their disapproval to the Borough Council. The proposals were subsequently rejected by the local authority's planning committee on 10 January.
The Council's ruling defied the views of its planning officers, who had recommended that the renovations should be approved.
Its solicitor Craig Hallett had previously said that any rejection, without sound planning reasons, could land the local authority in hot water if Twigmarket appealed. He forecasted the Council losing and also being liable for the developer's legal costs.
Jeremy Sturgess, who runs Twigmarket, accused Councillors of playing electoral politics when making their decision.
“Committee members, despite the officer’s recommendation, clearly did not want to approve plans with such a spirited opposition in the run up to local elections.
“So, they made fools of themselves, Swindon Council and the whole planning process generally - thus making any appeal inspectors’ decision a probable formality in due course.
“Golf club members got the refusal they wanted on their big night so can congratulate themselves - at least temporarily," he said.
'The course gives people of all ages the opportunity to keep fit'
Swindon Borough Council committee member Cutis Flux, who put the rejection motion forward and saw it succeed, disagreed with Mr Sturgess.
“The sheer volume of local residents at the meeting shows the substantial amount of harm and impact this will cause for local residents as well as the users of the golf course, mentally as well as physically.
“The golf course, as it is, gives people of all ages the opportunity to keep fit and active whilst learning or partaking in a sport.
“We heard from ward members, committee members, residents and local MPs. They have all raised concerns of the impact this will cause. We must retain a nine-hole course in Swindon ... I had no choice but to propose we reject this planning application,” he said.
EXCLUSIVE verdict from Sir Robert Buckland
In an exclusive interview with Greatest Hits Radio, South Swindon's Conservative MP has advised the developer not to appeal against the Council's ruling.
Sir Robert Buckland, who also objected to the proposals, instead urged Twigmarket to find an alternative plan that was more aligned with the Club's members.
"I'm all for sensible development at Broome Manor. I think that the site has great potential, it's a much loved amenity.
"This seemed to me not to be the right place for this type of development. There are plenty of potential alternatives on the existing land.
"Rather than having a costly appeal, my polite suggestion to the applicants would be to come back with revised proposals ... come up with something a bit more sensitive to existing use and perhaps that might work.
"Local residents quite rightly were listened to by planning councillors and rightly the Council rejected this application," he said.
Mr Sturgess has now vowed to take his application to appeal, claiming the refusal decision was "not made on sound planning grounds".