The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Holiday lodges plan at Fife club
DEVELOPMENT: New eco-lodges would boost Charleton after clubhouse blaze
A Fife golf club hopes to rise from the ashes of a devastating fire to become a new environmentally-friendly holiday destination.
Charleton Golf Club, near Colinsburgh, has submitted plans for 14 eco-lodges on its former driving range as it seeks to diversify to ensure its longterm sustainability.
It said the move was now essential given the blaze that destroyed its clubhouse in June.
A spokesman for planning consultants PPCA Ltd said the lodges would provide jobs at the golf course and support businesses in Colinsburgh, including the village pub and shop, by bringing more visitors to the area.
He said the plans complied with the local and strategic development plans.
According to the application, to be considered by councillors next month, the two and three-bedroom lodges will offer high quality self-catering accommodation throughout the year.
Designed to reduce carbon footprint, they would be made of wood, local whinstone and other natural materials and would include solar panels and rain harvesting.
Recycling would be encouraged on the site.
“The proposed development will support local businesses by using locallysourced materials and goods,” said the spokesman.
“Jobs will also be protected for the current golf staff employees as the running of the lodges will be administered from the current golf clubhouse.
“This will increase the need for staff employment both on the catering side as well as employment required for servicing the units between different occupancies.
“The golf course business plan ensures the long-term financial sustainability of the estate and improves the existing amenities.
“This is now essential given the recent fire that has destroyed the golf clubhouse.”
The premises was razed to the ground in the early hours of June 8, leaving staff and members devastated.
While the golfing community rallied round and the course remained open, a number of irreplaceable treasures were lost including hats signed by Tom Watson and Colin Montgomerie and a photograph of the course being opened in 1994 by former US president George Bush Sr.