Go-ahead for golfing lodge

Written by Alison Kershaw and published in Epping Forest Guardian on Thu 10th Feb 2005

PLANS for a 36-bedroom "golfing lodge" at Woolston Manor Golf Club, Chigwell, have been given the green light.

District councillors have agreed the two-storey building for 36 bedrooms in 24 suites saying it would give flexibility to families visiting to use the site's golfing facilities.

Outline plans for a 50-bedroom motel on the plot were agreed by the same committee last September, but last Wednesday's area plans sub-committee heard that following research into hotels on leisure sites applicant Bullwood Ltd had identified a need for apartments which give flexibility and allow guests to cater for themselves.

The application will remain subject to a similar condition as the previous scheme - the lodge must be used to provide accommodation for visitors and users of the Woolston manor complex, and not for any other purpose.

Chigwell councillor and district council leader John Knapman said the lodge was "a good idea" adding: "It's designed for families and I'm pleased about that. They need flexibility and this will give them that.

"Without meaning to sound sexist, the mums' can be at Holmes Place , the kids at Top Golf and dad's on the golf course. It will encourage people to stay more than one day."

Councillor Fergus Maclaine said: "I'm supportive of this plan. hope the consequence of reducing the capacity doesn't mean that in the not too distance future we get an application to increase the capacity. I think we have as much accommodation as we can."

Councillor Ann Haigh suggested there could be an opportunity to promote the local shopping centres, such as Debden Broadway.

She said: "I think something that could pick up is to look a promoting the local shops at Debden Broadway, because people need to know where they can go for shops. There should be some economic gain. It's promoting what's in the district."