Former Walsall tip in driving range and golf academy transformation

The plans are for the green belt land near Calderfields Golf and Country Club, which has more than 500 members.

Details of the initial proposal have been submitted to Walsall Council to see if an environmental report was also needed to accompany any future planning application. However, council officers ruled one was not necessary.

The site formed part of an old tip and is currently derelict land in Aldridge Road.

"The development proposals will be for a driving range and golf academy," the document reads.

"The application will be submitted in full.

"The floor space of the proposed buildings extends to 670 square metres. It will include pedestrian routes linking the site to the existing golf course."

The report said no parking was planned given the relationship with the 18-hole golf course. A single-storey building associated with the driving range is also included.

The site was a rubbish tip for around 20 years. And, if the driving range and academy get the nod, they will significantly improve the ground conditions through the capping of the tip.

"The proposed development would not result in unusually complex or potentially hazardous environmental effects," the document continued.

"Any impacts resulting in the use of natural resources, production of waste pollution nuisances or the risk of accidents would not be of a significant scale and could therefore be adequately dealt with via planning conditions if required."

Calderfields Golf and Country Club also has 20 hotel rooms and a restaurant overlooking the golf course.

The golf club underwent a multi-million pound revamp a few years ago, which involved creating log cabins to allow visitors to stay overnight.

The club changed ownership in 2008 and extensive work was since done on the course.

A function room and two new conservatories were built and new changing rooms installed.

The club also caters for weddings and private events.