The Orchards Golf Course, Brinkley, ready to offer “play and stay”

Golfers could soon be able to play and stay at a Southwell course.

The Orchards Golf Course, Brinkley, has submitted a planning application to Newark and Sherwood District Council to change the use of part of the course to make room for 35 holiday lodges and a reception lodge.

The course will also become a ‘pitch and putt,’ which is an amateur sport similar to golf, where the hole length is up to 90 metres and only two or three clubs are used.

The new 35 timber-style lodges, which will each have two parking spaces, will offer visitors and guests an option to ‘play and stay.’

An additional lodge will be used as a reception for the site.

A report by agent Jon Waite, principal planner at RPS Consulting Services Ltd, said: “The Orchards has struggled financially in recent years and the proposal will help provide a viable future for this site that will enable it to continue to contribute to the local tourism economy.

“In addition, the proposal will help support other tourist businesses in the local area by allowing visitors to stay longer in the area and ultimately spend more.”

The report concludes that whilst there is already similar tourist provision in the district, in the Southwell area there is a lack of high quality, self-catered lodge and chalet accommodation and there is a need to increase the range of holiday accommodation types available.

Part of the site will be returned to a meadow, with a new hedge and trees planted to help soften and screen the development and mitigate any impact on the landscape.

A new road off Fiskerton Road would provide new access to the site.

This will hopefully not only extend the tourism season, but also create new jobs and increase spending in the local economy.

Richard Huthwaite, business manager for tourism at the district council, said: “I would support this application as it would help to meet the need for a greater volume and wider range of accommodation options for visitors to the Southwell area and benefit the visitor economy.”

The district council’s planning will have the final say on whether the application is approved.