The owners of Gillyflower Golf Course in Cornwall have submitted plans with the local council to build a clubhouse and 19 holiday lodges.
Formerly the site of Lostwithiel Golf & Country Club, which closed in 2014, the land was bought in 2016 by the Smit family, owners of the Eden Project and The Lost Gardens of Heligan, who have since reopened the course under a new name and turned part of the course into a fruit orchard, while keeping nine holes open for play. Each of the nine holes is bordered by fruit and nut trees and vegetables, while hedges and rough areas are maintained with wildlife in mind, with greens and fairways managed in as environmentally friendly way as possible.
Under the original plans the Smits wanted to create a horticulture, agronomy and cookery education centre along with 19 holiday lodges, a cafe and facilities and a new reception for the golf club, which is located on the outskirts of Lostwithiel. However, these plans were rejected by the council in April last year after strong local objection.
The new plans, which were submitted last week, feature a slimmed-down project, but still include a proposal for 19 lodges, as well as a new clubhouse.
Alex Smit, the son of Eden Project founder Sir Tom Smit, said: “The proposal seeks to expand the facilities on offer at the existing golf course, which will bring it back towards providing a full-service facility, as existed prior to 2014. Substantial investment, landscaping and planting has been undertaken to bring the golf course back into use. It has been reduced in scale and redesigned to an 9-hole course with two sets of tees to enable an 18-hole round to be played.
“The proposal would introduce 19 holiday lodges which would be part of an aparthotel facility to be managed by the clubhouse. By providing accommodation, further benefit will be derived for Lostwithiel, as guests would spend money in the town.”
Sir Tim addressed the planning committee at last April’s meeting and said it was “a matter of regret” that the application had divided opinions in Lostwithiel, but he said that he and his son were sure that the development would be sustainable and help not just the local community but also benefit the wider population in learning and developing learning about horticulture
He said that they were working with a number of educational institutions including Exeter and Plymouth universities to set up training and research programmes which would run from the farm. He added that the golf club and holiday lodges would help to generate income which would help to fund the educational aspects of the new venture.
