GOLFERS will be able to hone their skills at a new driving range after planning permission was approved. The Basildon Sporting Village off Cranes Farm Road has been given the green light for the new golfing practice area near the existing car park.

Basildon Council's planning committee was told it was a "good idea" and "there would be health benefits." Bosses say it is a "significant investment and will create fantastic opportunities" at the centre with "existing world-class facilities."

The plans are for the golfing range, measuring 40 metres long by 30 metres wide, with 10 covered practice bays adjacent to the entrance area for the Basildon Sporting Village Leisure Centre. The centre currently offers a range of sporting facilities, including an Olympic-sized swimming pool, athletics track, tennis and netball courts and more. It was also the training centre for Max Whitlock, the town's Olympic gold medalist gymnast. 

Mo Larkin, chair of the planning committee said: "I think probably it's a good use of spare land, it covers all the sports we do over at the sporting village. I don't think we do any golf, so it's something that might appeal to somebody, and people only walk over this land, so I think it's a good idea."

The planning officer told the meeting: "The site falls within the wider complex of Basildon Sporting Village, comprising of a relatively small area of incidental grassland.

"The site does not contribute meaningfully to the public use of the wider Gloucester Park open space. The facility would operate within the existing operating hours of the sporting village; there would be no jobs created as such, but it would improve the leisure centre offer available. There would be health benefits as it would encourage physical activity amongst the local population, promote social interaction and support healthy lifestyles while diversifying the sporting offer available." 

Shaun Beagle, Everyone Active area contract manager, said:  "We are delighted that plans for the new GolfPod facility at Basildon Sporting Village have been approved. This exciting addition represents a significant investment and will create fantastic opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to engage with golf in an accessible environment. Whether you're a beginner picking up a club for the first time, an experienced golfer refining your technique, or a parent trying something new while waiting for your children, these covered practice bays will be perfect.

"We believe it complements our existing world-class facilities and will further diversify our sporting offer at Basildon Sporting Village. We look forward to welcoming golfers of all levels soon and are confident this will become a valued addition to Basildon's sporting landscape.

"The facility will be operated by GolfPod and, being predominantly automated, will require very little on-site management. It will be powered by the number one range technology in golf and is funded in its entirety by GolfPod."