A popular leisure sports venue on the outskirts of Helston has revealed major plans to shake up what it offers.

Wheal Dream Holidays and Leisure at Wendron, near Helston, has applied to build a golf driving range, café and a new 18 hole footgolf / rugbygolf course as part of a wider project.

The business is separate from the Wheal Dream restaurant on the same site, although the two owners are brothers.

A planning report states: “There is a desire by the owners to increase the attraction of Wheal Dream Golf Club and to improve the robustness of the business. The current nine-hole pitch and putt course is basic in nature with rudimentary greens and tees laid out over steeply sloping land.

“The course is struggling to compete in the surrounding market and because of the severity of the undulating terrain, it does not tap into the key markets of the younger and older golfer who find walking the course too tiring.

“Combine this with the ever-increasing costs associated with maintaining the course and the escalating price of power and water, there is a pressing need to re-evaluate the set-up of the golf club.

“Following research, the owners have identified three golfing pastimes that would be both attractive to a range of customers whether they are enthusiastic golfers or just looking to have fun with friends and family. These pastimes are footgolf, rugbygolf and a driving range.”

The planning application in full is for:

  • A new driving range.
  • 20 covered practice bays (timber frame and timber clad).
  • A new 18-hole footgolf/rugbygolf course.
  • A new short game area and putting green.
  • A water storage lake for irrigation and water harvesting scheme.
  • A new maintenance shed.
  • A new café / admin cabin.
  • New car park and access road.

It is proposed that the existing nine-hole pitch and putt golf course be replaced with a footgolf/rugbygolf course, which has a proven popularity for a wider audience. This would be a “more extensive and interesting” course than the existing footgolf/rugbygolf facilities there.

The golfing element would then accommodated with a new driving range and short game area with practice putting green.

The application states: “After extensive research the owner of Wheal Dream Golf Club feels that a driving range would be of great benefit not only in terms of increased revenue but also for the local community.

“The provision of a modern, comfortable range will complement the other facilities at the club by providing a pastime that not only appeals to the experienced golfer but also those new to the game.

“Driving ranges are a great way to get into golf. Emphasis will be placed on encouraging people who had perhaps never thought of golf as a leisure option. There will be particular encouragement given to families and through linkups with local schools, children will be encouraged to take up the game.

“Wheal Dream will be able to apply to become Golfmark accredited, which recognises beginner and junior friendly golf facilities.”

To compliment the driving range a short game area and practice putting green are proposed.

The facilities would be designed to allow the golfer, whether they be a novice or an elite player, to practice the full range of shots that would be required on a golf course.

More information can be found on the planning portal of Cornwall Council’s website, under planning application reference PA24/03864.