Agenda item

To consider a full planning application for the construction of a driving range with associated parking, including ancillary bar/restaurant, golf shop, golf academy, golf club changing facilities and function rooms, creation of a new vehicular access and reconfiguration of Wallsend Golf Course.

The Committee considered a report from the planning officers, together with an addendum circulated at the meeting, in relation to a full planning application from Harrison Golf and Leisure Newcastle Ltd for the construction of a driving range with associated parking, including ancillary bar/restaurant, golf shop, golf academy, golf club changing facilities and function rooms, creation of a new vehicular access and reconfiguration of Wallsend Golf Course.

A planning officer presented details of the application with the aid of various maps, plans and photographs.

In accordance with the Committee’s Speaking Rights Scheme David Booth of West Street, Wallsend had been granted permission to speak to the Committee. Mr Booth stated that whilst he supported the development of the golf club he was against its location. He believed the facilities should remain in its current location on Rheydt Avenue. Mr Booth challenged the accuracy of information submitted by the applicants in terms of the likely peak periods of operation, the risk of flooding on the course and the numbers of jobs to be created. He expressed his concerns regarding the height and appearance of the proposed fence around the driving range and the impact of lighting and noise on neigbouring residents. Mr Booth also referred to works to trees already undertaken on the site and the implications of shortening the golf course and reducing green space in terms of promoting healthy lifestyles and tackling the climate emergency.

John Wyatt of WYG addressed the Committee to respond to the speaker’s comments. Mr Wyatt endorsed the recommendation to permit the development as the applicants had worked closely with planning officers to prepare the proposals. Mr Wyatt outlined the background and nature of the Big Shots Golf concept. The applicants had addressed a range of issues relating to the loss of trees, highway safety, drainage, lighting, design and the height and appearance of the fencing. The development represented a £12m investment in Wallsend and would secure the future of the golf course. Mr Wyatt concluded that the significant benefits of the proposal outweighed the disbenefits.  

Members of the Committee asked questions of Mr Booth, Mr Wyatt, his colleagues and officers and made comments. In doing so the Committee gave particular consideration to:

a)    works to trees already undertaken by the applicant which had been routine works undertaken with the Council’s permission;

b)    the number of jobs to be created;

c)    the market research undertaken by the applicant to determine demand for its food and drink operations;

d)    how the food and drink facilities would operate in conjunction with the use of driving range;

e)    the extent of the areas of woodland to be lost and details of how new woodland would be created, including the translocation of trees;

f)     the impact of the proposed development on the wildlife corridor and the ecological mitigation proposed by the applicants;

g)    the reasons for the north-south alignment of the driving range; and

h)    the likely impact of the development on the highways network and the proposed highways improvements at the junction of the Coast Road slip road and Devonshire Gardens.

Resolved that planning permission be refused on the following grounds: 

a)        The proposed development would result in the loss of an area of designated open space, contrary to policies S5.1 and DM5.2 of the North Tyneside Local Plan 2017.

b)         The proposed development would result in the loss of landscaping and it would have a detrimental impact on biodiversity in a wildlife corridor, contrary to policies S5.4, DM5.5, DM 5.7 and DM5.9 of the North Tyneside Local Plan 2017.

c)         The proposed development would have a detrimental impact on the amenity of residents in terms of noise and disturbance, contrary to policy DM5.19 of the North Tyneside Local Plan 2017.