Barry News
Brynhill Golf Club members approve development plans
8:50am Friday 3rd February 2012
A LANDSLIDE 88 per cent of Brynhill Golf Club members gave their blessing to proposals to modify their course and incorporate a 180-home development.
Club members backed the development plans - which as previously reported have caused concerns in the surrounding community - at an extraordinary general meeting last week (January 26).
Nearly 300 members cast votes.
Brynhill Golf Club and Redrow Homes' plans include remodeling one of Wales' oldest courses to form two sets of nine holes, both returning to a new multi-purpose clubhouse, plus a full-length buggy path and improved drainage and irrigation systems.
An estimated £2m surplus will be reinvested in the club on completion of the work.
Speaking after the vote, club Captain Steve Jones said: "It was great to see more than 70 per cent of the club’s membership turn out for an EGM on a Thursday evening, and the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.
"Members have now given the committee their blessing to progress the proposals with Redrow and hopefully secure the future of the club.
"It is a landmark day for Brynhill Golf Club, but we know that the work has only just started in terms of making these proposals a reality."
Redrow spokesman Paul Backhouse added: "A lot of hard work has been put in behind the scenes by the club’s committee and advisers, who have worked closely with us to put forward the best possible proposals for all parties involved.
"It is fantastic to be given such strong support from the members, but we have always maintained that the benefits of these proposals will be felt across the wider community in terms of jobs, housing, local amenities and tourism."
HOPE in the Vale, a local group campaigning against the housing plans, has been left disappointed by the members' vote.
Secretary Martin Coles said: "Highlight Organisation to Protect our Environment is obviously very disappointed that the members of Brynhill Golf Club have voted in favour of their committee's proposal to sell off their land.
"This is hardly a surprising result though, when members are being told that if they do not go ahead with it the club could cease to exist.
"Why they need to sell off (at least) £6.5 million worth of land to clear a £200,000 debt is still beyond us though.
"HOPE will continue to stand against the current irresponsible proposals and support the Council's stance of not allowing any development to take place on this land," he added.
"At the same time we welcome the Captain's invitation to meet with them to discuss how to move forward, now that the initial proposal has been voted in.
"We are awaiting confirmation of when this will take place."
The parcel of land at the southern end of Brynhill Golf Club proposed for housing is not currently allocated in the Vale of Glamorgan’s Draft Local Development Plan.
Redrow and the club will now make representations to the local authority within the consultation period.