PROPOSALS to create a golf driving range on farmland not far from Northwich have been refused.

Warrington Borough Council has rejected an application for the erection of 20 covered driving bays at Walnut Tree Farm on Northwich Road in Lower Stretton.

The land lies north of an existing complex of buildings on the farm – which include agricultural buildings for dairy operation, The Hollies Farm Shop, and a range of offices.

Documents state that the applicant wished to ‘further diversify’ operations on the site by the creation of an ‘outdoor recreation use’.

But the plans have been refused by planning officers due to concerns over the impact on green belt.

In their refusal notice, officers said: “The proposed development would constitute inappropriate development in the green belt.

“The proposal has an unacceptable impact on a protected species, and insufficient evidence is provided that alternative solutions to avoid or reduce the impact on the protected species have been considered.

“The proposed development, including the car parking areas and access, does not relate satisfactorily to its rural setting and encroaches on rural land in agricultural use.

“It would result in the loss of agricultural land and visually damage the existing character of the area to the detriment of local residents.”

Plans for the driving range also consisted of an administration building, car parking, landscaping and the diversion of an existing footpath.

The car park would have provided 46 car parking spaces, including two disabled spaces and two staff spaces.

The intention was for the facility to be open from a maximum of 7am to 10pm during the summer months.

No floodlighting was proposed – therefore hours would have been reduced during the winter to daylight hours.

Although the site lies within green belt land, the plans state: “The use of green belt land for an outdoor sports use and the provision of appropriate facilities for such uses are therefore appropriate development, so long as the overall use preserves openness and does not conflict with the purposes of including land within it.”