AS a plan has been lodged for a new golf course in Lochgelly, a local councillor made it clear this week that concerns about the future of the town’s club in Cartmore Road were premature.

A plan has been submitted to Fife Council by Susan Stephen Architects, of Edinburgh, for a proposed new 18 hole golf course, club house and associated works on existing agricultural land to the west of Loch Gelly, at Westerton Farm.

The application has been lodged on behalf of Mr Willie Wilson, of Westerton Farm, and would see an 18 hole course developed near the town’s loch with appropriate facilities including car parking for 60 vehicles and clubhouse.

This the second time in five years that plans for a new golf facility in Lochgelly has come to light.

Previously former housing developer, Lomond Homes, had considered building a course to the east of the town, which had concerned many members of the Cartmore Road club that they would be asked to move with the possibility that the rolling fairways of LGC would be turned into housing, but with Lomond getting into financial difficulties nothing happened.

Councillor Ian Chisholm said this week that the current golf course is on protected ground. Said Mr Chisholm (pictured), “The Lochgelly Golf Course was re-designated as protected rural space outside the town boundary in the current Local Plan. “I worked hard to have that established, because as people will recall, there were moves to have the site zoned for housing by the Lomond Group, to allow development of the course.

“For this to occur now it would require a lengthy public hearing, or Departure Hearing, with a final vote taken by the full Fife Council.

“But this is highly unlikely to happen given the amount of land in Lochgelly under the Strategic Land Allocation, of the old Structure Plan and continued under the new FifePlan.” He added, “Some 1800 Houses were required to meet this target and sufficient land was zoned for that purpose and continues to be so under the new developing plan.

“The recession stalled a high percentage of the planned build for the town and of course had a knock-on effect on Mr Duany’s Charrette programme suggestions, that were progressed in 2010.

“Anyone, even someone not owning the land, can apply for planning permission for a golf course....whether, if granted, such a project would be viable is a commercial decision for the developer.

“Given the surfeit of courses, both private and municipal, there would be immense competition”.

The Times was contacted on Friday by a member of the public who had seen the planning notice concerned that the club would have to move and the current Cartmore Road course would become housing, but the applicant has made not any such suggestion.