HAVING had their planning application for the change of use of agricultural land to a new golf course extension refused, Falmouth Golf Club has submitted a new application.

Having looked at their new planning application on the Cornwall Council planning website, they have possibly addressed the health and safety concerns, which was one of the reasons for refusal, but they have not altered the other reason for refusal, which was an unacceptable intrusion into Falmouth’s area of outstanding natural beauty.

Furthermore, because they have had to reduce the number of holes in the new proposed extension from three down to two new holes, golf club members will be interested to discover that their par 71 course has now been reduced to a par 69 course and is nearly 200 yards shorter than the existing course.

So much for the avowed intention to provide a better, longer, championship course for the benefit of members, visiting golfers and for Falmouth’s tourism attraction.

The application is stating that permission has been received for an application to build 48 new properties on the golf course along with a new clubhouse. This is not so. The permission received was subject to an independent financial viability study, which as far as I know has not been received yet and, as the application was a departure application, it will have to be passed to the GOSW for a final decision by a planning inspector.

The scheme is not well intentioned and many of us will continue to fight for the protection of Falmouth’s AONB and the countryside.

Michael Clegg, Golden Bank, Falmouth