IAN CLARKE A major development to create a new complex of 45 holiday apartments and time share houses and a leisure centre at a Norfolk golf club comes before councillors on Monday.

IAN CLARKE

A major development to create a new complex of 45 holiday apartments and time share houses and a leisure centre at a Norfolk golf club comes before councillors on Monday.

The Richmond Park club on the outskirts of Watton is among many clubs around the country looking to tap into the wider leisure market and first submitted plans more than a year ago.

The initial application was for 54 holiday units but that was withdrawn and revised proposals were sent to Breckland Council.

The project involves 22 time share houses and 23 holiday apartments plus a leisure centre with a gym, swimming pool and treatment rooms.

The golf club - which already has some holiday units - said the proposed facilities would only be open to members and holiday unit residents and not the general public.

The plans were last before Breckland's development control committee in October, when the application was adjourned to allow more discussions between the club and planning officers.

A range of issues have been under the spotlight including building design, landscaping, parking and a legal agreement relating to the holiday units.

On Monday the development control committee will be recommended to grant planning permission subject to a range of conditions.

Breckland's principal planning officer (major projects) Nick Moys said in a report to members that after negotiations, amended proposals had been submitted which created “more interesting and attractive buildings.”

The holiday dwellings will also relate more closely to the existing units.

Mr Moys said: “On the basis of these changes, the proposed development is now considered to be acceptable in design terms.”

There have been concerns about on-site parking provision and changes have been made to create 20 extra parking spaces and there will also be hard surfacing and white lines to increase capacity.

The club has also suggested a detailed landscaping scheme and a new access and road improvements are suggested to deal with the “inevitable increase” in traffic.