A York golf course will be partially redeveloped to stop it flooding as well as being extended by adding three new holes.
Pike Hills Golf Club, on Tadcaster Road, comprises a 2.3-hectare 18-hole golf course originating from the late 1940s within the general extent of the York green belt to the north of Copmanthorpe village and to the west of the city.
It has more than 800 members and the planning agent for the proposals said work needs to undergo if the club wants to sustain that membership base.
Alistair Hoyle, planning consultant with Axis, said: “Unfortunately the golf course experiences quite significant flooding in low-lying areas.
“This can mean that parts of the golf course are unusable for several months throughout the year and, on occasion, the golf course has had to close entirely because it is completely unplayable.
“This is not a sustainable situation for the golf club.
“For the golf club to survive, the existing member base must be retained and grown and more visitors encouraged to use the golf course.
“This would only be possible if the current flooding issues are addressed.”
Up to 352,125 cubic metres of screened and inert soils would be imported to re-profile and re-landscape the remaining area to improve drainage and usability both of the course itself and the practice area to the north and west.
Coun Ann Hook submitted a written objection to the proposal, saying: “Objects to [a] major development in such close proximity to the Askham Bog site of special scientific interest (SSSI) without sufficient reassurance that the hydrology and associated biodiversity of the Bog will be safeguarded.”
There were no objections, however, from the Environment Agency or Natural England.
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust initially objected to the proposal but following on from the revision of the surface water drainage scheme and greater clarity in terms of impact upon the hydrology of the Askham Bog SSSI, it raised no objection.
The plans were approved unanimously by councillors.