Proposals by Brett Vale Golf Course in Raydon for 38 new holiday homes in a golf course rejected after local backlash

Proposals for 38 new holiday homes in a golf course have been rejected after a local backlash.

Proposed by Brett Vale Golf Course, a business in Noaks Road, Raydon, the development would have taken up a 3.97ha portion of the 18-hole course.

This, the developer argued, would have added to the already existing nine holiday lodges in an attempt to promote tourism during off-season months.

However, Babergh’s planning committee and officers felt the business plan submitted by the developer did not outweigh its harmful impacts on the environment.

They believed the development, originally asking for 57 twin unit holiday lodges, to be ‘disrespectful to the surrounding landscape’.

Cllr John Ward, of Brett Vale, said: “This is a complicated application to decide — on the one side is the legitimate desire of a business to diversify and expand, on the other side our planning policies, which are there to protect the countryside from inappropriate development, must be respected.”

Cllr Ward also mentioned residents had contacted him with worries regarding the future of the site as some portions of the golf course are currently up for sale.

A total of 36 objection letters were received during the application, which also included concerns over increased traffic, light pollution, noise, and over-development.

Fears were also raised by Cllr Michael Holt that the proposed caravans could be sold as permanent accommodation rather than holiday lodges.

He said: “We are open for business as a district council, which does include tourism, however, this is not a well thought out or complete planning application.”