Plans to create three new holes at a golf course near Macclesfield by raising land levels have been approved.

The proposal, for Marton Meadows Golf Club, involves level changes of the existing field on Congleton Road by the importation of 85,000 tonnes of inert construction waste.

Cheshire East's strategic planning board was told on Wednesday the construction period would take about 18 months.

Lisa Harrop, assistant manager of the Golf Club, said: "The golf course extension will allow Marton Meadows to register on the World Handicap System meaning golfers worldwide can play at Marton Meadows and still retain their handicap."

The club also has an indoor golf simulator for when the weather isn't good to tee off. (Image by Hebi B. from Pixabay)

She said the new holes would also ensure the continued inclusion of disabled and junior golfers.

"While we accept there will be some short-term impact during the construction phase, the long-term benefits far outweigh these impacts," said Ms Harrop.

She said the club had liaised with the nearby church to ensure the works did not disturb key services, weddings and funerals.

The committee was told the waste material to be imported would be checked by experts to ensure it was suitable and it would come from local construction sites.

Gawsworth ward representative Lesley Smetham (which includes Marton within the ward) abstained from the vote.

Gawsworth councillor Lesley Smetham (Con) said there were concerns locally that some of the site was already contaminated because of what had been put there before.

Cllr Stewart Gardiner (Knutsford, Con) sought assurance that if the existing material was going to be moved that should be checked too before it was mixed with the 'clean' material brought in. This was conditioned.

Planning officer Philippa Radia said the application was essentially a waste application but she said it was a question of 'balancing the elements out'.

"We get the waste disposal we need… the golf club gets improved," she said.

Macclesfield West and Ivy's Mary Brooks.

Macclesfield councillor Mary Brooks (Lab) said: "I welcome this because there is a shortfall of capacity within the borough to take inert waste and I don't think we can underestimate the benefit of not actually having lots of waste trundling up and down the country to other boroughs and us using other boroughs to dispose of waste that's created in Cheshire East."

Haslington councillor Steve Edgar (Con) proposed the application be approved and it was seconded by Cllr Gardiner.

It was approved by 11 votes, with Cllr Smetham abstaining. The plans had a 'mixed reaction' when discussed before this week's vote, last week.

Macclesfield Nub News has contacted Marton Meadows Golf Club for any further comment.

Advertise your Macclesfield event for FREE on our What's On page, proudly sponsored by Painters Supply Limited. 

Macclesfield: Have you signed up for our FREE Friday weekly newsletter? It contains each week's top 10 Macclesfield news stories, and one EXCLUSIVE article?

Simply enter your email address on this link.

Free from pop-up ads, or unwanted surveys, Macclesfield Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

You can find us on Facebook and Twitter.