A NEWLY refurbished golf clubhouse could be on the cards for a popular Tynedale venue if Northumberland County Council approves plans.

Maften Hall acquired by Walwick Estate Group in 2020 has ambitious plans to improve the golf services at the hotel. 

When the previous owners opened its golf club in 1995, it planned to provide a golfing experience like no other in the Tyne Valley, so the current owners hope to continue that goal.

Hexham Courant: Photographed in 1995 director of golf John Harrison (left) and professional Ian Waugh.Photographed in 1995 director of golf John Harrison (left) and professional Ian Waugh. (Image: NQ)

The plans are to refurbish and reuse the existing building but to add some adaptations, modernise it and create extensions to bring it up to date.

In the businesses' planning statement, it said: "The existing building is not large enough to accommodate the renovations required for this development.

"The sustainable solution has been to reuse the existing building and provide extensions to accommodate the re-development.

"The main entrance to the building will also allow for a clearer sense of arrival to the building, and the upgrading of the footpath to a vehicular access will allow guest to drop bags before returning to the main car park.

"The reuse of the existing building and adaptation / extension is considered to be the most appropriate solution in order to bring the golf clubhouse up to the same standard as the rest of Matfen Hall.

"The location of the extensions has been carefully considered taking into account the setting of the building in the context of the adjacent listed buildings and views across from the clubhouse towards Matfen Hall and over the golf course. Existing trees will assist with the partial screening of the new extensions from the listed buildings.

"The extension to the north-west and north-east are relatively minor in scale and will not negatively impact upon the visual amenity of the existing clubhouse.

"The main extension to the east is to improve the bar/dining facilities at the clubhouse. The layout of this has been to consider the impact on setting of Matfen Hall, but also to maximise views from the mezzanine dining area proposed. 

"To accommodate the development, the extensions to the northeastern and northwestern elevations of the building form a single storey with pitched roof to maintain the form and design of the original building.

"The use of the flat roof element will create a link element to break down the overall massing of the extension. The extension to the south of the building incorporates a pitched roof to reflect the original design of Keepers’s Lodge, but utilises the topography of the Matfen Hall land to allow for a two-storey extension that includes a mezzanine level internally and outside decking / terrace area at ground floor and first floor level.

" To the rear of the building, minor alterations are proposed for the rear delivery yard. The existing vehicular and pedestrian access will be retained to the new entrance lobby to the north, and the buggy pathway will be redirected where necessary around the extended building with landscape buffers between this and the terraced external dining spaces."