An Aberdeenshire golf club which had plans for seven new houses rejected earlier this year will hear if their new application, which includes affordable housing, will be accepted by the local authority next week.
The Westhill Golf Club’ s first application, which was submitted to Aberdeenshire Council earlier this year, was thrown out by the Garioch area committee in June because the plans, which included five-bedroom properties, did not provide affordable housing.
The application was rejected by six votes to five, and was also rejected on the grounds that the proposals fell outside Westhill’s defined boundaries.
The proposals have been put forward to help generate money for the club, which in recent years has had to pay out to ensure golf balls don’t land in neighbouring gardens or houses, and has lost its practice area to new housing.
If the application is approved, funds raised from selling two small areas of extra land on the development would be used to upgrade the club’s course and facilities including new lockers, toilets and the club entrance.
Golf club captain Len Hubert said: “We’ve taken into account the points made at the area committee meetings and addressed them in our new application.
“We’re hoping this application keeps all parties happy – local residents, the wider Westhill community and golf club members who recognise we badly need new funds.
“These plans are vital to the future viability of the club. We would very much like the club to be an outstanding community facility that thrives, rather than one that just survives and is constantly struggling.
“We need to find a sustainable way to re-invigorate our club and secure its long-term future. I hope we can all move forward with a clear purpose.”
The plans go before councillors for a decision on Tuesday, December 2.