Golf clubs and driving ranges.
Golf clubs are diversifying into driving ranges, events, holiday lodges and dining. We assess the change in activity and the access on rural roads.
Main guide: Transport Statements
Most golf clubs are reached by narrow roads with modest junctions. New uses that bring more visitors, or visitors at different times, need evidence that the access can cope.
What the council focuses on
The access and its visibility, the suitability of the approach road, parking at competitions and events, and the effect of new uses such as function rooms, lodges or a range.
The evidence that answers it
- Visitor numbers for golf, events and new uses.
- Parking accumulation for the busiest days.
- Access visibility and lane assessment.
- Event management where functions are proposed.
Driving ranges and adventure golf
Ranges and adventure golf attract shorter, more frequent visits, often in the evening. We assess the extra trips against the existing club activity.
What the application usually needs
- A Transport Statement covering golf, events and new uses.
- A parking assessment for competition days.
- Access visibility and a lane assessment.
- An event management plan for functions.
- Swept paths for coaches and deliveries.
A typical case
A typical case is a golf club adding a floodlit driving range and a function room. The council asks about evening traffic on the lane and parking during weddings. We assess range bookings and event numbers, show peak overlap against the car park, and propose passing places and improved visibility at the access.
Technical points
Golf clubs have weekend competition peaks; driving ranges and adventure golf bring shorter evening visits. Lodges and holiday accommodation add arrivals on changeover days. Most clubs are on rural lanes, so the lane assessment is often the key evidence.
Driving ranges and practice facilities often stay open into the evening with floodlighting, so we assess evening traffic separately from the weekend golf peak. Where a club adds holiday lodges, changeover days are assessed alongside competition days. Deliveries for the clubhouse, bar and restaurant need a service route that does not cross the car park at busy times.
If highways raise concerns
Concerns usually relate to new uses bringing more traffic onto a rural lane. A clear comparison of existing and proposed activity, passing places and access improvements usually resolve them.
Where functions are proposed, a condition limiting their number can give officers confidence.
How we help
We prepare the transport statement and access design for new and diversified golf facilities.
The same questions arise in Scotland and Wales, where they are assessed against NPF4 and Scottish guidance or Planning Policy Wales and TAN 18 rather than the NPPF.
To get a quote, send us:
- The site address or a location plan.
- The proposed new uses and event numbers.
- The existing parking and access.
- Any pre-application advice or highways comments you already have.
Questions we get asked
Does a driving range need a Transport Statement?
Usually a short statement covering trips, parking and the access.
How do you assess function rooms at golf clubs?
By the largest event size, with arrivals and departures.
Can lodges be added to a golf club?
Often, with evidence on access and changeover day traffic.
What if the lane is narrow?
We assess passing places and visibility.
Can you help with adventure golf?
Yes. It attracts shorter, more frequent visits.
Related guidance.
Related services: Transport Statements · Site access design · Traffic speed surveys.
Guidance and sources
- GOV.UK: National Planning Policy FrameworkEngland. National policy on transport in planning decisions.
- GOV.UK: Travel Plans, Transport Assessments and StatementsEngland. Planning guidance on proportionate transport evidence.
Sources checked 8 November 2026. General information, not advice on a specific site.
Got a site in mind?
Send us the location and what is proposed. We will tell you what the council is likely to ask for, with a fixed fee.