A NINE-HOLE pitch and putt golf course has been granted planning permission in Ollerton, adjacent to a driving range for which plans had already been approved.

Members of Cheshire East Council’s strategic planning committee approved the Chelford Road application, following a planning officer’s earlier recommendation.

The development, which will be accessed through a pre-approved driving range entrance, stretches to around 16 acres of agricultural land, currently used for turf production.

A CEC planning officer said: “The proposal is considered to be sustainable in terms of social and economic sustainability.

“The benefits in this case are [that it would] provide a sporting and recreational facility for the local community and wider community to enjoy which compliments the adjoining site, [and] encourage sport participation to contribute to the health and wellbeing of the local and wider community.

The officer added that the proposal ‘is not considered to have a detrimental impact on the highway network’, while it would add economic benefits during and after construction.

Cllrs Bill Edgar and George Walton, ward councillor for Ollerton, raised concerns about future use of the land should the business fail, drawing on the recent closure of Mobberley Golf Club for housing use.

Cllr John Hammond, vice president of the committee, said: “We should welcome this turn up and play facility.

“Mobberley Golf Club might have failed but perhaps it’s the stuffiness of clubs and the fees you have to pay that turn some people off

“This facility is the way forward for golf. It’s a game and you don’t need all the clubs to make these things survive.”

Committee chairman Cllr Gill Merry also supported the application, saying: “The fact is that where you have to pay a membership fee and seldom use the club it isn’t very cost effective. This kind of facility becomes extremely cost effective.

“It’s an excellent training facility and short play facility, and an excellent facility for young people.

“We must encourage our young people to get out and about in fresh air and undertake some exercise.”

The application was unanimously approved, subject to conditions including tree retention and hours of operation.