PLANS to revamp Stratford’s mini golf course are now in full-swing after scoring a hole in one with councillors.
The plans to revamp Stratford mini golf in Swans Nest Lane went before Stratford District Council’s planning committee on Wednesday September 27.
The proposal to redevelop the current golf course by adding a new coffee shop, a change of surfacing, perimeter fencing, as well as a second course and walkway, were recommended for the go-ahead by planning officers.
And councillors voted unanimously in support of the application despite some earlier dispute about the proposed 1.5 metre mesh fencing.
Speaking at the planning meeting, Stratford mini golf owners Mark Knott and Chris Jones called on the committee to approve their proposal amid concerns the fence would give rise to unacceptable harm to the nearby grade II listed Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the conservation area.
They said: “We have worked hard with the planning officers to get a solution to the fence and resolved to replicate neighbouring examples.
“The fence is very important to us as a business as we are investing a considerable amount, as well as the increased rent of Stratford District Council.
“There have been many incidences of anti-social behaviour since we took over in March 2021.
“We have agreed to carry out extensive landscaping to screen the fence with native hedging, which will also obviously help with a biodiversity aspect.
“We are confident Stratford Adventure Golf will help support the local community with activity for locals and visitors and more opportunities for participation from local schools, as well as providing employment to residents.”
Ward member Coun Jenny Fradgley was in favour of the plans, recognising the site needed protection with fencing of some kind.
She said fencing in the style of the neighbouring boules club and tennis courts would be acceptable alongside biodiverse planting to camouflage the mesh.
One letter of support was received by SDC stating that the proposal would improve the facility and the area, and the proposals were not intrusive.
And there was one letter in opposition expressing concern the proposed fencing was not acceptable in this location.
Planning officers reassured that the fencing required by the applicant to prevent anti-social behaviour out-of-hours would be temporarily in place for three years and would be replaced by hedging once the planting was established.
