A sports centre in Basildon is planning on a new "exciting and unique" golf driving range.

The Sporting Village, Cranes Farm Road, which is run by Everyone Active, says the proposed sports facility will "complement the other sport and leisure provision at the centre."

If agreed, the new golf practice area, set to be called GolfPod, would measure 40 metres long by 30 metres wide. At one end, there would be covered practice bays looking out over a synthetic grass area, which is fully enclosed by netting suspended from four aluminium poles. The proposed golf facility would be located on a small section of open land adjacent to the entrance area for the sports centre.

The sports centre operator says the new driving range would require increased staffing hours to facilitate opening hours and extra services, creating more jobs. The Basildon Sporting Village offers an array of facilities, including an Olympic-size swimming pool and an eight-court sports hall, and it also hosts the South Essex Gymnastics Club, as well as Olympic champion gymnast Max Whitlock. The Japanese Olympic swimming team used the Basildon Sports Centre for pre-Games training in 2012.

Plans for the new driving range state: "The GolfPod will attract a whole new audience to the centre. Customers will be exposed to all the other sporting and leisure opportunities in the village and may try their hand at other pastimes. Golf ranges, in general, are where many people take up the game. By encouraging people to use the GolfPod, they will progress from novice to someone confident enough to play a proper golf course. This natural progression not only encourages people to be active but is also good for the long-term health of existing golf courses in the wider area.

"In conclusion, the interest in golf surged during and after Covid because it was one of the few leisure pursuits that could be safely undertaken during that time. There has never been a better time for the game of golf to promote itself to a new audience.

"The provision of a GolfPod at the centre will be an exciting venue for golfing novices, experienced golfers, and young families just looking to have a fun leisure experience.

"The facility will benefit the local community by supporting and providing ongoing employment through teaching, maintenance, and administration staff. The facility complements the existing business and will help to ensure its long-term viability. Facilities such as this will continue to promote golf to a wider audience and indirectly support golf courses in the wider area."