Fresh proposals to overhaul Northumberland golf club site

Three linked applications have been submitted to Northumberland County Council in relation to Burgham Park Golf Club, to the west of the A1 near Felton.

Alnwick-based house-builder Cussins is seeking permission for 56 three, four and five-bedroom homes on land to the north-west, while the club’s owner, Burgham Park Properties Ltd, is proposing to create a six-hole golf course and upgrade the facilities.

A third application is for the change of use of eight holiday cottages, which were constructed as part of a previous permission, to permanent homes.

The new scheme follows the previous owner going into administration in November 2016, with Burgham Park Properties Ltd buying it out in March 2017.

The 18-hole golf course and clubhouse was built in the 1990s, followed by two phases of executive homes.

In 2010, approval was granted for the expansion of the facilities including a new clubhouse, hotel, conference facilities, leisure club, driving range as well as 50 self-catering holiday homes.

Then, in 2016, 14 detached homes were given the go-ahead, but solely as an ‘enabling development’ for the wider project, which was known as Northumbrian Hills.

A planning statement as part of the new housing bid says: ‘The golf course improvements were never completed wholly due to the viability of the consented scheme, however, there remains a clear need for investment in the golf course, which has been supported consistently by the council.

‘The owner of the golf course has developed new proposals for the site which are submitted via a separate full planning application and will include a six-hole golf course, relocation of the existing driving range, new putting green, ladies’ locker room, golf teaching room/golf simulator, and an extended bar/food area, kitchen and balcony.

‘These will help ensure the future viability and attractiveness of the course for existing and new members and to attract new visitors.

‘Under a further separate application, the eight existing holiday homes are also proposed to change to permanent residential dwellings to tie in with the proposals within this application.’

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

If you can, please do pick up a copy when you are at the shops. Thank you for your support.