North-east golfers are hoping to boost their club’s fortunes with plans for new homes on the course.
Westhill Golf Club’s proposals for seven houses will be discussed by councillors next month.
If the scheme is approved, money generated from the sale of the land will be used to upgrade the course and clubhouse facilities including new lockers, toilets and entrance.
Club captain Len Hubert said: “These are exciting plans that would generate a new lease of life for the club and have a positive impact on the wider community in a rapidly-expanding part of the north-east.
“Like many clubs in Scotland today, we have to find creative ways to generate additional revenue.
“This potential development is insignificant compared to other housing plans in the area, but, taken with other initiatives we have put in place, it’s a game changer for us.”
The club first submitted plans for houses at Loch View and Kingwells View on the edge of the course in July last year but withdrew them in response to concerns from locals and planning officers about the size and design of the buildings.
Mr Hubert said the plans have been redesigned but some members of the community remain concerned.
Westhill and Elrick Community Council, who opposed the original plans, have lodged an objection to the application because the new homes would be outside the town’s current boundaries.
They have also raised concerns about the loss of privacy for neighbouring homes and say that although the new designs show a reduction in height of the houses, there are no other significant changes.
Mr Hubert said: “Our team has worked hard to address the concerns of neighbours and we’re hoping councillors take into account the bigger picture and are able to support a small-scale project, sympathetic to its surroundings, which could have a massively positive impact upon the club, its members and the wider community.
“We’ve been delighted with the support we’ve had from the local community to date. We’re a privately run club but see it very much as part of the community, and hope to be around for many years to come.”
The planning application is due to go before Aberdeenshire Council’s Garioch area committee on Tuesday, June 3.