Public notices: Plans for ‘pay and play’ golf course redevelopment on RBWM border

This week’s public notices feature road closures and a planning application for the redevelopment of a ‘pay and play’ golf course on the Royal Borough border.

Road closures

No vehicles will be allowed to proceed along part of Lee Lane in Pinkneys Green between the boundaries of properties known as Sweeps Cottage and The Coach House.

The diversion route for vehicles affected by the order will be via Lee Lane, Pinkneys Drive, A308 Marlow Road and Lee Lane.

The purpose of the road closure is to facilitate a new pole installation, and it will be in operation between 8am and 6pm on Tuesday, February 24.

No vehicles will be allowed to proceed along part of The Street, Shurlock Row, between the boundaries of property known as ‘South Cottage’ next week.

The diversion route for vehicles affected by the Order will be via The Street, Hungerford Lane, B3018 Waltham Road, B3018 The Straight Mile and The Street.

The purpose of the road closure is to facilitate a new foul connection, and it will be in operation from 12.01am on Monday, February 23, until 11.59pm on Friday, February 27.

Planning

An application for listed building consent has been submitted for the repair and structural stabilisation of a roof and the rationalisation of recent fire-stopping interventions at the Grade I-listed Bisham Abbey.

A full planning application has been submitted for the redevelopment and expansion of facilities at Billingbear Park Golf Course, between Shurlock Row and Wokingham.

Billingbear Park Golf Course is a publicly accessible ‘pay and play’ venue located off The Straight Mile, close to the M4.

A cross-boundary application has been submitted as the site bisects the Royal Borough and Wokingham borough, but the proposed development will take place within the Royal Borough administrative area.

The site currently includes the Old Course and the New Course, a modest clubhouse, car parking, practice areas and storage facilities.

The application aims to diversify the site’s sporting and social offer in response to changing participation trends in golf. The plans include the addition of two pickleball courts and three padel tennis courts in phase one.

The previously proposed compact driving range has been replaced with an outdoor putting course in phase two.

Phase three is the demolition of the existing marquee to the rear of the clubhouse and replacement with a new extension and the construction of a simulator building.

Within the simulator building, a proposed staff flat has been replaced with an office for the general manager and a teaching room, while the size and external appearance of the building remain unchanged.

In response to officer recommendations, an existing path located within the ancient woodland boundary is proposed to be relocated outside a 16-metre buffer zone.

Floodlighting has also been removed from the proposed outdoor racket sport courts.

Eight additional staff parking spaces are proposed in front of the clubhouse.

If required, overflow parking could be provided on an area of grass to the south of the proposed pickleball courts.