A plan to revamp Billingbear Park Golf Course on the Royal Borough border has been described as 'a step in the right direction' as the sport faces challenges amid the loss of the Maidenhead course.
Billingbear Park is a pay-and-play facility in The Straight Mile. Most of the site sits in the Royal Borough, though the car park is in Wokingham Borough.
The company has applied to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead for phased improvements: an outdoor putting course, a golf simulator building with six bays and a teaching room, and a new extension replacing the marquee behind the clubhouse.
At an extraordinary Maidenhead planning meeting, Mark Batchelor - founding director of 4TY Planning Ltd, the applicant's agent - said the course 'must evolve' to survive.
He said: "Like many courses, [Billingbear Park] faces a clear challenge; participation in golf is dwindling, and a loan would not sustain the site's long-term viability.
"The site must evolve and offer new facilities which reflect how people want to be active today."
Other proposals include three padel courts and two pickleball courts - sports the agent said are among the fastest-growing in the UK and help attract younger players.
Councillor Helen Taylor (Ind, Oldfield) welcomed the plans after the loss of Maidenhead Golf Course and praised Billingbear Park's proactive approach.
She said: "Golf courses are going down everywhere," and "To have [a course] wanting to face things head on ... is a really good thing."
Members, including Cllr Clive Baskerville, want golf to feel less exclusive; as a non-membership course Billingbear could be more affordable and family-friendly.
Royal Borough officers also backed the scheme. They said 'one of the main drivers' in national planning policy is to 'get people into sport' and other active recreation for their health.
"We are losing golf courses across the country... so, we believe the need [for this upgrade] is demonstrated," said Mr Westlake."
There were some concerns: Cllr Leo Walters (Con, Bray) said Waltham St Lawrence Parish Council had 'grave concerns' about the simulator's scale near ancient woodland, but officers judged it would not have a significant negative impact.
The applicant has planted more than 1,000 trees and switched to electric maintenance kit to boost sustainability.
Councillors unanimously approved the plans. Wokingham Borough Council had no objections.
To view the full plans, insert 26/00128/FULL into rbwm.gov.uk
Elena Chiujdea, Local Democracy Reporter
