Ambitious plans to transform part of Burnham-On-Sea’s seafront into a £200,000 mini golf course were unveiled at a town council meeting on Monday evening (February 15th).
Birmingham entrepreneur Paul Chatwin wants to turn a grassy area of The Esplanade into a large, purpose-built golf park to act as a tourist attraction.
The plans for the area south of the Coastguard station were given a warm welcome by councillors at a council meeting on Monday night.
“Subject to planning permission, it’s my intention to construct a high quality golf course on the seafront that will attract repeat visitors and portray Burnham as a traditional, yet lively, resort,” Mr Chatwin told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“It would be built of stone and brick with colours in keeping with the general surroundings. We would landscape the around it, putting in new bushes, shrubs and plants.
He added that the course would have several raised areas, but remain below the height of the wall separating the promenade and the lawns.
He said: “The course would be of a very high standard and not made of plastic materials similar to previous temporary courses in Burnham.”
He added: “It is my intention to heavily market the attraction to schools, sports clubs, the tourism industry and businesses. This means it would attract visitors to the town during the quieter months.”
He added: “My plan would be to bring financial investment into the town, creating jobs. The attraction would enhance the leisure options within Burnham-On-Sea and bring more visitors to the town.”
“I would even like the course to be capable of hosting competitions organised by the British Mini Golf Association, which could attract TV coverage.”
Town councillors gave a warm welcome to the proposals, with Cllr Dennis Davey calling it “a fantastic idea that would be wonderful for tourists.”
Councillors did question, however, whether the park could be financially viable in the long-run, to which Mr Chatwin responded: “I wouldn’t be going into this if I didn’t think it can succeed. My research shows that to be viable we need just 14 days a year at 50 per cent capacity and 10% for the rest of the summer.”
Cllr Ken Smout added: “In principal, we are all for it.”
The plans are due to be considered by Sedgemoor District Council over the coming months. If successfully passed by the council, Mr Chatwin added that he would like the course to open this summer.
