PLANS for an 18-hole adventure golf course in the Lake District have been given the go ahead despite concerns it would affect the ‘safe operation’ of a nearby school.

Members of the development control committee for the Lake District National Park Authority approved proposals from Choices Health Club to construct an 18-hole adventure golf course at Troutbeck Bridge Swimming Pool in Windermere.

The golf attraction will consist of an 18-hole course connected by new pathways together with features such as bridges, greens, ponds, signage and lighting.

Plans also involve re-landscaping the existing car park and renovating the front of the health club building.

The proposals had received objections from The Lakes School and Westmorland and Furness Council, as the local education authority, about the potential impact of the proposals on the ‘safe operation’ of the school.

An objection submitted on behalf of the council and the Lakes School says: “Our clients object to the proposals on the basis that they involve the creation of a new tourism attraction in an inappropriate location which would introduce levels of activity which would lead to unacceptable impacts on the safe operation of the school, and the safeguarding and amenity of pupils.”

A report by national park planning officers says the plans would not introduce ‘unacceptable level of overlooking’ and add quieter periods would likely be mid-week in term time.

Committee member Peter Walter said: “I think there are schools much bigger than this one run in city centre locations that don’t have a concern around this and I think this is a school at a dead-end in Troutbeck.

“I don’t think there are concerns about safeguarding. I think those concerns have been overstated.”

However, committee member Vicky Hughes raised concerns that the addition of the adventure golf course would ‘draw too much activity’ to the area.

Ms Hughes said: “It’s quite hectic round there with the school runs and the students, and I just worry having an attraction like that will be too intense.”

Previously plans for a golf attraction were refused in July 2023 by the LDNPA after planners ruled the proposals would lead to the ‘deterioration of irreplaceable habitats’ among other reasons.

However, the new proposed site is southeast of the health club and no longer next to the ancient woodland north of the club.

The planning statement says: “The proposal would be sited to the south east of the existing health club, and it is proposed to offer this leisure facility to diversify the existing leisure offering to existing users as well as to provide a diversified attraction to tourists, who already visit the health club.”

According to planning documents the adventure golf course would feature nine holes which are wheelchair accessible.

The planning statement says the proposals would deliver ‘significant biodiversity enhancements’ to the site.

An ecological appraisal accompanying this application concludes that, given the nature and scale of the proposed development, it is considered that there is ‘no potential’ for a foreseeable impact on the ancient woodland.

It is proposed the golf course will be open from 9:15 am until one hour after sunset from October to March. Then from April to September the golf course will close at 9pm or one hour after sunset, whichever is earliest.

A report prepared by planning officers concludes: “The proposals receive support from development plan policy as a community facility, a tourist attraction and existing business.

“The site specific impacts in terms of impacts on neighbours, traffic and parking, which would occur in the context of an established health club and swimming pool and the wider context of its car park and extensive nearby school buildings, are considered to be acceptable.”

Members of the development control committee approved the application  at Murley Moss, the national park’s HQ, on November 6.