Surfing complex and public park at Lee Valley Golf Course And Camping & Caravan Park, Edmonton

The site today

The 22.8-hectare site is in the Lee Valley Regional Park and currently contains an 18-hole golf course and 131 camping pitches.

“S ite and Surroundings 4. The application site outlined in red covers an area of approximately 22.8 hectares of land within the Lee Valley Regional Park, adjacent to the William Girling Reservoir. The site forms part of the Lee Valley Leisure Complex, also known as Picketts Lock Leisure Complex. I mage 1: Red line within the 125 year leasehold of The Wave Group. Blue line within ownership of the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.”

“The site is currently comprised of two main uses; these being the Lee Valley Golf Course, and the Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park. The existing golf course contains a full 18-hole course spread over the majority of the site with a large man- made lake in the northern area (outside this application and within the blue line of the application). The camping area currently comprises a total of 131 pitches, along with…”

Officer report

Earlier planning work

Earlier pre-application discussions, planning agreements and design reviews helped develop the scheme, and an environmental impact assessment was not required.

“Background 5.2 The applicant is the Wave Group who will be implementing and managing the site. The Wave Group is a private limited company that is known for developing and operating surf parks and wave-based leisure facilities, including The Wave Bristol, which uses artificial wave technology to create inland surfing experiences.”

“Application reference 25/00713/SO was submitted for an Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Opinion Request under Part 2, Regulation 6 of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 in relation to a full application for the proposed development at the Lee Valley Golf Course and Camping & Caravan Park for a landscape-led leisure and recreational facility with a new surf lake at its heart.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the benefits and very special circumstances outweighed limited Green Belt harm, subject to conditions and a legal agreement.

“Very special circumstances’ will not exist unless the potential harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm resulting from the proposal, is clearly outweighed by other considerations. When these very special circumstances are considered cumulatively, officers consider they sufficiently outweigh the identified harm caused to the Green Belt through inappropriate development and a loss of openness.”

Officer report

What consultees and residents said

Most public responses supported the scheme, while one objection opposed golf-course loss; consultees generally raised no objection subject to conditions and contributions.

“Environment Agency No objection raised subject to conditions relating to a remediation strategy, unexpected contamination, verification report and a landscaping and ecological master plan. Metropolitan Police No objection raised subject to a condition requiring a Certificate of Compliance has been submitted to and approved by the Metropolitan Police.”

“Planning Policy The Plan-making Team fully supports the proposed scheme, including the principle of development as well as strategic planning considerations. Traffic and Transport Original comments Concerns raised with regards to the lack of information. Revised comments Revised and additional points of clarification were sought and the additional information has proven satisfactory. No objection raised subject to conditions and securing S106 for a number of matters.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A golf-course user spoke against the application, and the applicant’s chief executive spoke in response.

What members discussed

Members asked about Green Belt circumstances, public transport, retaining golf, parking, and offers and discounts for local residents.

“PLANNING COMMITTEE - 16.9.2025 The Committee discussed the application. Members of the committee wanted clarification on what the special circumstances were to allow this development on green belt land, in addition to asking questions regarding queries relating to public transport to the site, whether some of the golf course would be kept, regarding car parking at the site and regarding local residents offers and discounts.”

“Planning officers outlined the Planning Balance giving weight to the special circumstances why the development on Green Belt land is acceptable; the clubhouse fitting in with the landscape, the park land open to public and the new facility with discounts for local people, as well as the placement of the access route and the generous S106 agreement.”

Minutes

How members voted

Members voted unanimously for the application.

“The officer’s recommendation for the application was put to the vote; Members voted:”

Minutes