Another significant step forward has been taken in the plans to relocate Royal Norwich Golf Club to nearby Weston Park.

Formal agreements between the two clubs and Persimmon Homes, who are hoping to develop Royal Norwich's current base at Hellesdon, have now been signed and exchanged.

That means the scheme can now progress towards the application for planning permission stage, with the various parties concerned hoping to put detailed proposals before councillors some time this summer.

The scheme hinges on approval being given to a housing development at Hellesdon, with the proceeds then being used to create a state-of-the-art facilty at Weston Park which would become the new Royal Norwich Golf Club. Plans have already been drawn up for the new lay-out but work will only start if the Hellesdon scheme is given the green light.

Phil Grice, general manager of Royal Norwich Golf Club, inset, said the signing of legal agreements was an important stage of a process that he hopes will end in a top class golfing facility for the county.

'This is an incredibly historic moment for Royal Norwich Golf Club,' he said. 'The golf club's legal sub group have worked tirelessly over the last 12 months to achieve the signing. It is now over to the various design teams to create a course and facilities that are seen as a new benchmark in golf.'

Detailed planning work for the redesigned course at Weston Park is being managed by European Golf Design's Ross McMurray. Emily Barnston from Fieldon & Mawson Architects together with Richard Utting of Richard Utting Associates are working on the clubhouse design and additional facilities for golfers and their families.

If planning permission is granted it will take approximately two years to construct and 'grow in' the new course at Weston Park. Until that point Royal Norwich will carry on playing 18 holes at the Hellesdon site. That means, even if there are no planning delays, it will continue to be the club's home until at least the end of 2017.

Owner of Weston Park Martin Goymour, of Goymour Properties, is excited by the development.

'Germination for this exciting venture may be slow, but it has steadily moved forward and will create a 'must play' top class golf venue for Norfolk and East Anglia,' he said. 'We are proud of Weston Park, and look to the future when Royal Norwich at Weston becomes a prestigious golf club and family facility'

Martin Davison from Persimmon Homes said there was still plenty of work to be done before the club could present their proposals for the Hellesdon site to Broadland District Council's planning committee

'We are delighted that the formal legal agreement between ourselves and the club has been completed, enabling progression of work towards the submission and attaining of relevant planning permissions,' he said.

'Considerable work still needs to be undertaken before applications can be submitted. However the signing of these agreements is a major milestone in achieving the ultimate objectives of both Persimmon and the club.'