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17-hole worry for top golf course 17-hole worry for top golf course
(about 3 hours later)
Golfers at one of Wales's oldest and best known clubs fear they could be left with just 17 holes if new homes are built next to their course.Golfers at one of Wales's oldest and best known clubs fear they could be left with just 17 holes if new homes are built next to their course.
Langland Bay Golf Club on Gower, near Swansea, says it might lose its third hole on health and safety grounds if the 12 new houses are approved.Langland Bay Golf Club on Gower, near Swansea, says it might lose its third hole on health and safety grounds if the 12 new houses are approved.
Liberty Homes' application has met nearly 200 objections, including some from non-golfers using a nearby beach. Liberty Properties' application has met nearly 200 objections, including some from non-golfers using a nearby beach.
The company said its application was "sympathetic" to its surroundings.The company said its application was "sympathetic" to its surroundings.
The homes have been proposed for a field that directly borders the third hole.The homes have been proposed for a field that directly borders the third hole.
We have not got any additional land and it could be we have a golf course with 17 holes Club chairman Tony Vaughan
The club, which celebrated its centenary in 2004, said they would be so close to the fairway that they would be in constant danger of being hit by stray balls.The club, which celebrated its centenary in 2004, said they would be so close to the fairway that they would be in constant danger of being hit by stray balls.
We have not got any additional land and it could be we have a golf course with 17 holes Club chairman Tony Vaughan
Chairman Tony Vaughan said it was a "desperate situation" for the members and they would either have to seek planning consent of their own for high fencing or netting to protect the homes, or lose the hole altogether.Chairman Tony Vaughan said it was a "desperate situation" for the members and they would either have to seek planning consent of their own for high fencing or netting to protect the homes, or lose the hole altogether.
"We have not got any additional land and it could be we have a golf course with 17 holes," he said."We have not got any additional land and it could be we have a golf course with 17 holes," he said.
Mr Vaughan said the course, with its stunning views, attracted golfers from across the UK and further afield and was important to local tourism.Mr Vaughan said the course, with its stunning views, attracted golfers from across the UK and further afield and was important to local tourism.
The application has also attracted opposition from members of the Langland Bay Residents Association, who say it will affect the view of the area from the seaside.The application has also attracted opposition from members of the Langland Bay Residents Association, who say it will affect the view of the area from the seaside.
Mumbles community councillor Anthony Colburn said people who used the beach were also against the plans.Mumbles community councillor Anthony Colburn said people who used the beach were also against the plans.
All over the world, golf clubs exist very successfully alongside housing developments Liberty PropertiesAll over the world, golf clubs exist very successfully alongside housing developments Liberty Properties
"If these houses were built they would affect the view inland and the skyline for the many people who enjoy the beach," he added."If these houses were built they would affect the view inland and the skyline for the many people who enjoy the beach," he added.
A spokesman for Swansea Council said a date to determine the application, for land at Linkside and West Winds in Langland had yet to be fixed.A spokesman for Swansea Council said a date to determine the application, for land at Linkside and West Winds in Langland had yet to be fixed.
The council has received 199 letters of objection so far.The council has received 199 letters of objection so far.
A spokesperson for Liberty Properties (Homes) Ltd said it had "gone to great lengths to prepare a planning application which is sympathetic to its surroundings and neighbours."A spokesperson for Liberty Properties (Homes) Ltd said it had "gone to great lengths to prepare a planning application which is sympathetic to its surroundings and neighbours."
The firm added: "All over the world, golf clubs exist very successfully alongside housing developments with many of the globe's highest profile courses boasting adjoining luxury housing schemes.The firm added: "All over the world, golf clubs exist very successfully alongside housing developments with many of the globe's highest profile courses boasting adjoining luxury housing schemes.
"We are fully committed to this scheme - we believe it will prove a great asset to Langland Bay whilst helping to meet the massive demand for quality new housing in the area."We are fully committed to this scheme - we believe it will prove a great asset to Langland Bay whilst helping to meet the massive demand for quality new housing in the area.
"We pride ourselves on our strong partnership approach across all our developments and we are confident we can resolve any outstanding issues by working with the golf club and any other parties to create a scheme of which we can all be proud.""We pride ourselves on our strong partnership approach across all our developments and we are confident we can resolve any outstanding issues by working with the golf club and any other parties to create a scheme of which we can all be proud."