Golf course expansion doubt due to new plan
EXPANSION plans for La Grande Mare golf course are under threat, because of the draft Island Development Plan.
The 180 acres of meadows around the west coast course, stretching up to King's Mills, is currently designated for possible golf course expansion.
But the new plan would scrap the search area and large parts would be classed as areas of special significance, of biodiversity importance and as agricultural priority areas.
La Grande Mare Hotel's golf director Chris Vermeulen said he was concerned by the move and hoped the search area had been left out by mistake.
'Under the currently-draft IDP, the ability to expand the golf course is by no means assured,' he said.
'We do not know whether or not the department will look favourably on the basic proposal to expand the golf course. Contrast this with the present position where we know that, generally speaking, the golf course can be expanded.'
