Public reports pack PDF 3 MB - Blaby District Council

Appendix 1 - Details of the Proposed Developments.
1. Golf Driving Range
It is proposed to design build and operate a golf driving range on the open land at
the rear of The Pavilion in Huncote. Research indicates that the site would be a good
venue / location for such a facility. Flood lighting – essential to enable all year round
use – is recognised as a potential problem in terms of impact. It is proposed
therefore to use lights mounted on columns around the range with light directed
inwards and down to minimise light pollution and spread. The proposed site has a
public footpath running across it and this would need to be diverted.
Reasons
• Good location for the development of a Golf Driving Range
• Uses underutilised land and is a suitable leisure use for a contaminated and
unstable former landfill site.
• Provides a new income stream
• Will increase the range of facilities on offer to some of the Pavilions target groups
e.g. Young People.
• Low operating costs which minimises financial risk
Financial
The capital cost is estimated at £225,000
Revenue costs include;
• Staffing – one part time staff member to cut grass, collect balls, etc. (£11,000pa)
• Maintenance (catered for within an overall provision of a part time maintenance
employee working 10 hrs per week at the centre - £4,000pa)
• Fuel costs – flood lighting (£3,550pa)
Additional income is estimated at £125,000 pa.
Potential Barriers
• Planning consent required
• Footpath realignment will be necessary
• Additional car parking will be needed
Update
The 16 bay driving range proposed to the rear of the centre has now received
planning consent, diversion routes for the public footpath have been agreed and the
building design and landscaping scheme approved. Several matters have since
arisen which now require closer consideration before proceeding, in particular the
substructure of the building, lighting requirements and perimeter
fencing/landscaping. A further report will therefore be brought to Cabinet early next
year with further detail on this project. Initial tender prices suggest the budgeted
figure of £225,000 is someway short of the initial estimated cost of £400,000. In
addition NNDR costs attributable to the driving range are £8015 per year.
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