Controversial plans to build a golf practice range on a meadow teeming with wildlife have been given the green light by Cheshire West and Chester Council.
Objectors feared Chester Golf Club’s plans would harm rare and protected butterflies, foxes, badgers, rabbits and even snakes often seen living in the wildflower meadow.
But on Tuesday councillors approved plans for the five-hectare site off River Lane, after deciding plans would not harm Chester’s only wildflower meadow.
Councillors said the meadow was filled with litter and was generally ‘unsightly’ and asked for dog litter bins to be placed in the area to tidy up with area, during the packed planning meeting.
Golfers cheered and chairman of development at the popular club John Clark punched his fist in the air with triumph as councillors passed plans for the long practice range in a 10-1 vote.
It is the second time the club’s plans have been submitted. They were withdrawn in March after receiving hundreds of objections from local residents and wildlife groups.
Speaking during the meeting, applicant John Clark said the plans had been modified to move the site away from the ‘eco sensitive river’ and a specialist grass cutting regime would actually provide an ‘eco gain’ to the area.
“The only difference to the public this application would actually make is they would have to walk around the site instead of walking through it,” said Mr Clark, addressing fears about the loss of the footpath.
But Cllr Alex Tate argued the practice green would destroy the green space enjoyed by residents, saying generations of families had played, walked their dogs and appreciated the wildlife for decades.
“In the future we are likely to see harm to these rare species, with no guarantee if or when they would return,” said Cllr Tate.
“Is it expected they will just easily and happily leave the habitat which has been home to these species for century's and take up residence in a completely alien location elsewhere?
“The result could very well be much less positive for natural wildlife. This development will severely affect the enjoyment of what is locally regarded as a haven of nature, where local residents who have very little green space to enjoy.”
