More than a dozen homes could be built on the 10th hole of a loss-making Bolton golf course if the club gets its own way this week.
Deane Golf Club says it has lost dozens of members in recent years while also grappling with the cost of Covid.
Now, it has teamed up with developer Ascalon Properties Ltd to apply for planning permission for 14 houses on part of the site.
The club says it wishes to use money from the sale of the site to re-invest back into the course and its facilities, to support its long-term future.
The homes would be built at the south-western tip of the course, with access off Armadale Road.
The area forms part of the 10th hole at the club and, should the development go ahead, the course will be reconfigured to create a different hole for golfers.
Houses neighbour the site to the east along Armadale Road, Arran Close and Beaumont Drive.
The plans show that the layout would be 12 detached homes and two semi-detached.
The application is set to be considered by Bolton Council’s planning committee on Thursday, December 9.
A planning officer report published by the council advises that the plans be approved.
The report said: “The applicant has stated the proposed development would help to financially support and sustain the long-term future of Deane Golf Club, with the revenue generated being re-invested back into the course and its facilities.
“Should planning permission be granted, that the club would reconfigure holes 10 and 11 with the same yardage and at least an equivalent challenge to golfers to accommodate the loss of the application site.
“Plans have been submitted with the application to show how this could be achieved.”
The document added that during the three-year period 2018 to 2020, the club traded at a loss and cannot continue to operate in its current format as well as invest for the future.
The club has seen a net loss of 80 members over the same period, which, together with Covid-19, has led to a significant loss of revenue.
The scheme has generated 12 letters of objection.
Among the complaints were ‘loss of green space', 'poor visibility from the proposed access point’ and that ‘Armadale Road is already treated like a race track’.
