A GOLF club on the outskirts of Knutsford that hopes to build a new hotel and community sports facilities has had to go back to the drawing board after council planners rejected its plans.

Woodside Golf Club on Knutsford Road in Cranage had submitted the planning application to Cheshire East Council to build a 27-room hotel, along with six ‘garden suites’ and seven homes.

The plans include the provision of community sporting facilities such as a bowling green, tennis courts and cricket nets. Residents will pay £5 for membership and receive discounts on using facilities.

The application was due to be discussed by the Strategic Planning Board at Cheshire East Council on Wednesday, December 5.

But the golf club withdrew the application after planning officers recommended it should be refused on the grounds that it did not benefit the area enough to outweigh the harm it would do to open countryside and the proposed site for the community facilities are in an isolated position away from Cranage.

Shaun Devaney, a director at Woodside Golf Club, said: “We had about 150 letters of support and the support of the parish council and the two borough councillors.

“There has been eight objections from people that live on a road nearby but we were a bit dismayed by the decision.

“We think we can overcome the points that the planning officer put forward but we didn’t know what they were in time for the meeting so we had to withdraw.”

Shaun added: “It will be a real boost for the area in terms of new sporting facilities.

“The people of Cranage will be members and it will be a real community thing.”

Fiona Bruce, MP for Cranage, who has supported the plans, added: “This is very disappointing – the extra facilities would have been particularly enjoyable for young people and their families.”

The plans will be resubmitted to the council and go in front of the Strategic Planning Board in the New Year.