A planning application submitted by Royal St George’s Golf Club in Kent to build a new facility for its golf course maintenance operations have been approved by Dover District Council.
The plans, which were submitted by the Sandwch-based championship venue last December, will see Royal St George’s existing greenkeeping operation moved to a new facility away from the clubhouse area to a new area by the current driving range.
As part of the development, several new buildings will be created, including a machinery store, covered storage bays, water tanks, a pump house and a fuel store. Twenty car parking spaces for greenkeeping staff will also be added.
The application explained the new project will help improve traffic flow and safety between visitors and greenkeepers. They added the project is a “sustainable form of development” that will support the club’s future needs.
In granting approval, DDC officers acknowledged the importance of Royal St George’s to the district as a world-class golf course and a key contributor to the local economy.
The report added: “Whilst the application site is within the countryside, that is the case for all golf courses, and the development does not encroach beyond the boundaries of the existing site. The scale and design meet specific operational requirements of the club, and considering the characteristics of the site, it’s agreed the built form is compatible with the surroundings. The development is supported by national and local planning policy and would contribute to social, economic and environmental qualities of the district.”