Controversial plans to redevelop parts of Burnham Beeches Golf Club have been approved by councillors - despite fears about increased traffic in the area.

The golf club submitted plans to upgrade facilities at the course to maintain current members and attract new members.

But some residents have claimed that the developments will have a negative impact while upgrades are implemented.

William Barrett, chairman of the North East Burnham Residents Association, said: “Being neighbours to the applicants and therefore the most affected by the plans, our members account for a large amount of the 69 households who have objected to the plans.

“I emphasise that the current application is considerably worse than the previously rejected application as it enforces the same amount of HGV vehicles, namely 240 a day, along only one route rather than the two nearby.

“The net result is the new transport plan will mean one HGV movement every 2.1 minutes. This we consider to be hugely detrimental to our environment via noise, traffic, congestion, safety and pollution.”

In response to Mr Barrett’s objections, the club's director Deana Hirst said: “We play an important role in providing opportunities for socialising for about 600 members in the local community.

“They range from ages five to 95. But we are not a wealthy club like Stoke Park or Wentworth, we are a members’ club. We urgently need to upgrade some of our facilities to be able to retain and attract more members, particularly young members and families.

“Without this development, we are in a very real risk of our membership dropping below a viable number. This project will allow us more opportunities for coaching, encouraging people new to golf to try the sport and become more active.

“It is a relatively small project with a relatively short duration plus it is a critical development to plan for our

future.”

Five of the six councillors voted in favour of the plans, with one voting against.