'No enforcement action proposed' after Drive In Golf centre opens without planning approval in Burntwood

Lichfield District Council has confirmed it will not take immediate enforcement action against a new indoor golf facility in Burntwood, although it failed to gain planning approval.

Drive In Golf opened a new golf simulation venue at Unit B2 in Multipark Burntwood on August 31, but the council rejected an application for a change of use of the unit on September 7 due to insufficient supporting information.

However, the council has confirmed it is working with the applicant to resolve the outstanding issues rather than pursuing enforcement action.

A spokesperson for Lichfield District Council said: “The planning application was refused because there was insufficient information submitted to support the proposal.

“Our planning team is currently working with the applicant to address the outstanding matters and provide the information required.

“As the applicant is actively engaging with the council to resolve these issues, no enforcement action is currently proposed while that process continues.”

Drive In Golf, which has a facility in Derby, has taken on a 2,977 sq ft unit at Multipark Burntwood.

Planning permission for a change of use was needed for the conversion of the industrial unit, which was designated for storage and distribution use.

LCP, owners of Multipark Burntwood, had submitted an application seeking to change the unit into an indoor recreation facility for golf simulation for Drive In Golf but the council’s planning department said insufficient evidence was provided detailing comprehensive marketing of the site for at least 12 months and appropriate to prevailing market conditions. A financial appraisal showing the development of any employment generating use would be unviable was also not provided.

Nigel Bratton, director of Drive In Golf, told the Express & Star the request for a change of use would be resubmitted.

He said the former industrial unit had been lying empty for two years and that the new facility, which has created six new jobs, had gone down “absolutely brilliantly” with visitors to date.

Mr Bratton said Multipark Burntwood had been an “immediate top choice for Drive in Golf when we were looking for a property in the area” and he added: “Everyone who has come in has loved it.”