EXTENSIONS and alterations to the Ferndown Golf clubhouse have been refused by Dorset Council.

The authority claims the new buildings would cause ‘harm’ to the Green Belt.

The club wanted to build two single storey extension and make internal changes to the Golf Links Road building.

Read more: Castlepoint's 'tenant mix' to be reviewed after one of its owners sells its stake

A planning agent for the club said the extensions would allow changes which would have led to the relocation and a larger ladies changing area as well as extending dining and function rooms with improvements to the loos which serve them.

The agent said the extension would only be seen on approaching the clubhouse from the west and would be in matching materials to the rest of the building.

“The extension proposals are modest in scale and fit discreetly with the existing building. The proposal being for an appropriate facility in connection with an existing outdoor sporting use is appropriate development in principle in the green belt.

Read more: When work will start on Poole's new adventure park - and when it could open

"No impact will be apparent on the purposes of including land in the green belt nor on the openness of the green belt,” said the agent.

Dorset Council took a different view deciding it was an inappropriate development in the Green Belt adding that the western side of the site is also adjacent to the New Road Special Character Area.

Said a planning case officer’s report: “Although the extensions may be desirable to the club, the existing building would appear to already be capable of providing appropriate changing facilities which are directly associated with outdoor recreation.

"The additional space sought is (indirectly) intended to facilitate the expansion of the restaurant facilities and provide associated toilets and (directly) to provide furniture storage space and a cloakroom… Additionally, as the proposal extends the built form northwest-wards, it fails to preserve the openness of the Green Belt…

“The proposals would increase the bulk of the Golf Club building in a manner which modestly reduces the openness of the Green Belt. Although the loss of openness is minor, harm is caused.”