PLANS to put an initial 20 holiday lodges on land at Petersfield Golf Club have been called in by South Downs National Park planners.

If the application is approved, the chalets will be the first phase of a proposed holiday lodge park on unused golf club land, says club manager Andy Corbett in the application.

National park planning director Tim Slaney said: “South Downs National Park Authority will determine the application.

“This is because of the need to balance considerations regarding any impacts on the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area.”

The club wants to put the lodges in an unused field owned by the club between the A3 and the golf course.

The entrance to the initial small group of lodges will along an existing track off the dead-end Tankerdale Lane that provides access to the golf course and its clubhouse.

On behalf of the golf club, Sutton Hospitality Consultants said: “This is part of Petersfield Golf Club’s early exploration of the potential to change the use of part of the course to a lodge park development.

“The club has a significant amount of land which forms part of the landscape setting, or it is ancillary to the use of the golf course itself.”

A golf club spokesman added: “The proposed number of lodges at this stage is a modest 20 units and a management lodge.

“The management lodge will have the dual function of being the office and reception as well as the manager’s on-site accommodation.”

And once on site, visitors or residents will be encouraged to enjoy the area on foot or by bike.

A sustainable tourism statement to planners said: “The location close to the A3 provides easy access.

“And residents, or visitors, will be encouraged to use sustainable means of transport to travel to the site, including public transport.

“Electric charging points will be provided in the car-parking area to encourage the use of electric vehicles.

“Electric buggies will provide easy access to the nearby golf course clubhouse.

“Cycle storage will be provided at each lodge to encourage cycling.”

For more information visit https://planningpublicaccess.southdowns.gov.uk reference SDNP/21/04092/OUT.