Burnley sports complex set to get expanded crazy golf course

Members of Burnley Council’s Development Control Committee have been recommended to approve the scheme when they meet on Thursday evening.

The new 18-hole course would be at the Prairie Sports Village in Windermere Avenue, near the boundary with Pendle.

It would replace an existing pitch and putt facility and a nine-hole miniature golf course, and would include an entrance gateway a maximum of 4.2 metres high and various model dinosaurs with a maximum height of three metres, as well as a water feature.

A supporting statement submitted with the application by Burnley Leisure and Culture says: “The proposal seeks to diversify the existing recreational offer and build on the centre’s reputation for attracting children into the sport of golf from an early age.

How one of the holes is set to look (Image: Burnley Council) “Adventure golf courses are built to a theme that includes pirates, jungles, dinosaurs, crocodiles, etc, each designed to capture the imagination of younger children and their families.

“The adventure golf course is a well-established attraction often attached to driving ranges or other golf centres within the UK.

“This adventure golf course would have a ‘Jurassic/dinosaur’ theme and include sculptures, including a volcano, a water feature, an artificial rockwork entrance portal and good quality landscaping.

A range of dinosaur sculptures will line the holes (Image: Burnley Council) “The adventure golf course is intended to maximise the attractiveness of the whole golf centre to families, allowing an open-air experience for children and their families, acting as an entry gateway for the younger generation into the sport of golf.

“The adventure golf course would consist of 18 ‘Dinosaur’ themed holes set amongst a landscaped setting that is screened from any wider public vantage point by the existing golf centre building to the south and the existing 3G football pitches.

“The opening hours of the proposed adventure golf course would align with the existing opening hours of Prairie Sports Village, namely Monday to Friday 9am to 10pm, Saturday 9am to 9pm, and Sunday/Bank Holidays 9am to 9pm."

A planning officer’s report recommending approval with three conditions says: “The application seeks to redevelop the existing nine-hole miniature golf course and pitch and putt into an 18-hole adventure golf course.

“The application is related to a sport and leisure facility, and as such is a community use.

“The proposal relates to facilities for outdoor sport/outdoor recreation, which is an acceptable use in the greenbelt.

 “The proposal would provide an enhanced adventure/mini golf course, improving the facilities for young people and families at the site.

“The proposal is for a dinosaur-themed adventure golf course.

“The proposal forms part of the wider Prairie Sports Village, which includes a 155-space car park, including five disabled spaces, with access taken off Windermere Avenue.”