Irrigation pond and land regrading at West Hill Golf Club, Woking

What was proposed

The application proposed an irrigation storage pond for the golf course and regrading of the existing driving range using excavated soil.

“Permission is sought to install a water storage pond for the West Hill Golf Club irrigation system to mitigate climate change and water sourcing issues. As part of the proposal, land grading is proposed towards the south-western portion of the course with excess soil spoil spread over part of the existing driving range sited towards the middle section of the course resulting in a slight gradient across the range but predominantly sited towards the terminus.”

Officer report

The site

The site was within the golf club, between Bagshot Road, Worplesdon Hill, Blackhorse Road and the railway embankment, with woodland and existing tracks.

“The application site relates to land within the West Hill Golf Club located between Bagshot Road to the west, Worplesdon Hill to the south and Blackhorse Road to the east with the embankment of the railway line bounding the wider site to the north.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions included a 2011 water storage lagoon and driving-range works, with the lagoon in the same location and the permission remaining extant.

“PLAN/2010/1217 - Extension and remodelling of existing golf driving range, erection of new covered teeing bay structure (8 bays) and creation of water storage lagoon – Permitted 18.03.2011”

“Officer Note: This application involved the creation of a water lagoon in the same location as the current proposed water storage pond albeit it this involved a shallower depth with less capacity. As the works involving the remodelling of the driving range has been commenced and finished, this permission remains extant.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the scheme appropriate in the Green Belt, with limited effects on openness and character, acceptable ecology and drainage, and benefits for irrigation resilience.

“In conclusion, the proposal has been assessed as appropriate development within the Green Belt, given its functional relationship to the established golf course and its role in providing water storage and irrigation infrastructure rather than new built form.”

“It is acknowledged that the scheme will result in the loss of some Scots pine woodland to facilitate excavation of the lagoon, but this has been minimised through design and is offset by a package of woodland enhancement and new planting secured through the submitted arboricultural and landscape details.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Specialist consultees accepted or did not object to the arboricultural, archaeological, ecological, drainage and landscape effects, subject to conditions; no representations were received.

“WBC Arboricultural Officer: The arboricultural and landscaping information provided is considered acceptable and should be complied with in full. A pre commencement meeting should take place prior to any works on site to ensure that tree protection measures are in place and fit for purpose. This should include the LA tree Officer, Project Arboriculturalist and the Project Manager (24.10.2025)”

“SuDS Team Surrey County Council: Satisfied that the proposed surface water drainage scheme meets the requirements set out in the submitted documents and are content with the development proposed subject to conditions (04.12.2025)”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Chair introduced the application, and the Planning Officer explained the recommendation and answered a question about construction traffic.

Members’ discussion

Members supported sustainable water management and biodiversity improvements, while asking about traffic and climate-resilient replacement planting.

“The Committee welcomed the proposal, noting that the rising temperatures experienced since 2010 and the increasing likelihood of prolonged drought periods meant that sustainable water management was essential. Members expressed their support for biodiversity net gain and hoped that replacement planting would include more climate-resilient species and a greater variety of flora to ensure long-term ecological resilience.”

“Following a question on whether the proposal would result in increased vehicle movements on Bagshot Road, particularly during construction, given existing traffic issues, the Chair clarified that construction-phase traffic was generally not a planning consideration but asked the Planning Officer to comment.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee resolved to grant planning permission subject to conditions.

“That planning permission be GRANTED subject to conditions.”

Minutes

Approval requirements

Approval was subject to planning conditions, a biodiversity habitat management and monitoring plan, and an additional biodiversity monitoring-fee obligation.

“[NOTE: The Planning Officer provided one verbal update, confirming that in addition to the biodiversity net gain habitat management and monitoring plan (HMMP) to be secured by legal agreement, an additional obligation would also be required to secure a biodiversity net gain monitoring fee, mirroring the approach taken on the previous application.]”

“The Planning Officer concluded that the application constituted a modest expansion of the 2010 extant permission and would significantly enhance the golf club’s irrigation capacity in response to climate and water-supply pressures. The proposal complied with relevant planning policies and, subject to conditions and completion of the BNG legal agreement and monitoring-fee obligation, approval was recommended.”

Minutes