A CONTROVERSIAL plan for a golf driving range on Green Belt land at Lymm has been thrown out by borough planners.
The scheme, put forward by Arena Developments, involved land adjoining the Lymm Nurseries site off Rushgreen Road.
Angry residents set up an action group to oppose the scheme on the grounds of loss of amenity, traffic problems and loss of wildlife habitats.
Lymm Parish Council lodged a strong objection and the plan was rejected by borough planning officers under delegated powers.
Arena Developments now have the right to appeal against the decision.
Cllr Sheila Woodyatt said: “I am delighted with this decision. Our Green Belt land is so precious, there is so little left of it in Lymm.
“This would have been a most unsuitable development.”
Anna Fradgley, spokeswoman for the action group, had spearheaded a vigorous campaign against the development.
She described the plan as an attempt to build in the Green Belt “by the back door.”
She said: “Lymm is such a beautiful village and we are lucky to be able to enjoy the countryside. But more and more of it is being built upon, just for the benefit of developers.”
Mrs Fradgley said the scheme involved a clubhouse, changing facilities, car parking and 20 driving ranges. It would be open from 8am to 10pm every day.
It would increase traffic on Rushgreen Road and local homes would be affected by floodlights and stray golf balls.
“Why do we need a golf driving range when we already have golfing facilities in and about Lymm? What percentage of Lymm’s population will actually use it? I would much rather see a public park which more people could enjoy.”
Picture: the site of the proposed golf driving range, pictured from the Bridgewater Canal.
