A Mid Essex golf course is set to convert part of its club house into bedrooms with a bridal suite and guest rooms with ensuite bathrooms, as bosses hope to improve the experience for visitors and people booking the events. 

Forrester Park Golf and Tennis Club, Beckingham Road, Great Totham has been given the green light for the change of use of the clubhouse first floor to provide the accommodation. Under the proposals, the business will create five new guest rooms, including a bridal suite.

Maldon Council's planning officer, said, the proposal's scale and siting is considered to be appropriate to the building and within this countryside location; and the materials to be used are in keeping with the character of the building. The Forrester Park Golf and Tennis Club offers an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, driving range, croquet lawns and ancillary facilities.

A planning statement says: "Forrester Park already provides a venue for weddings and other events, however, wishes to enhance its provision for overnight accommodation to support club members, visitors to the club's sporting facilities, and those attending events such as weddings. 

"The change of use of the first floor of the club house would allow the further provision of events at the site, including weddings, making no changes to the character and amenity of the Forrester Park site and its surroundings. The proposed change of use affects the first floor of the club house only, and comprises mainly internal alterations to incorporate guest accommodation with ensuite bathroom facilities. The only external alteration involves the installation of rooflights on the eastern and western roof elevations.

"The site's planning history demonstrates that the council has historically been supportive of proposals to improve and enhance the club's facilities and provide for private events.

"The current proposals seek consent for a change of use scheme that will avoid impact on the natural environment and on the local residential and recreational amenity of the area. Supporting technical drawings are submitted as part of this planning application, which demonstrate that the proposals comprise mainly internal alterations, with only minor external changes, and therefore will have minimal impact on the site's surroundings."