PLANS for tourist accommodation at a golf club near Ystradgynlais have been approved by planning officers.

The proposals was submitted by John Adams, the owner of ‘Celtic Minor’ golf club at Lower Cwmtwrch near Ystradgynlais.

He will now be allowed to demolish the existing driving range there and replace it with a new building that can accommodate six visitor units

Earlier this year the scheme had faced opposition from the Coal Authority due to the fear that “unrecorded” shallow depth mining may have taken place nearby.

But after further investigation which was the basis of a Geo-Environmental report by Blandford Consulting on the site on the site, the Coal Authority changed their views.

Coal Authority Assistant Planning Liaison Manger, George Weightman said: “The report author clearly states in their professional opinion that there is no risk to the development resulting from mining history and no further action is required in this respect.

“On the basis of the information submitted and the professional opinion of the author for the Geo-environmental Report the Coal Authority has no objection to this planning application.”

Planning officer, Lorraine Jenkin said: “It is considered that the proposed application would not result in an unacceptable impact upon the locality and its neighbours.

“The recommendation is therefore one of conditional consent.”

Some of the conditions attached to the permission include: investigating land contamination issues and if problems are found, to come up with a way to deal with it.

The golf club was re-branded and re-established in 2015 from the Palleg and Swansea Valley Golf Course.

JCR planning, the planning agents for the owner, said in a Design and Access statement: “Since it’s launch the club has seen significant investment by the applicant, which has included the introduction of the driving range, improvements to the course itself and a new club house.

“As well as being a significant factor for attracting new members, the club house is now also being used for a range of functions.

“While the club house has been a successful addition, the driving range has been less so.

They add that some golf balls are hit over the 10m high driving range fencing,  into the club car park, cause “great risk” to cars as well as life.

Doubling the size of the fence to stop the problem “was not the solution,” according to the agents ,which is why this application was made.

JCR planning added:  “The proposal will enable the facility to be promoted as offering on-site accommodation for golfing holidays, as well as for functions such as weddings at the location. ”

 

 

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