Derbyshire golf course could gain 3-storey driving range and rooftop putting green in major new expansion

The plans, from Horsley Lodge Golf Club in Smalley Mill Road, would see a significant overhaul of existing facilities under its new ownership in a bid to attract new members and retain existing users.

If approved by Amber Valley Borough Council, the existing driving range would be demolished and replaced with a larger three-storey driving range complex with 48 bays, alongside a hospitality lounge, virtual reality golf simulator room, putting studio, rooftop putting green, bar and relocated pro shop.

Meanwhile, parking facilities at the venue, three miles from Belper and Heanor, will increase from 35 spaces to 45 spaces.

Planning documents said: “The existing building is a steel framed canopy structure with attached floodlights, this offers covered practice facilities but is well below the standards of other similar sized, elite golf clubs.

“The redevelopment of the driving range is central to the clubs long-term investment programme and is part of a strategic plan to improve golf infrastructure and allow the development of a purpose-built Performance Golf Academy, allowing the estate to deliver coaching, data driven improvement and structured development programmes that meet modern expectations across all age groups.”

In 2024, the 19th Century Horsley Lodge estate was bought by new owners Charjen Capital, with multi-million-pound plans to overhaul the 200-acre facilities in a bid to “attract the Soho House crowd” – that of a private members club – and turn Horsley Lodge into one of the UK’s most “outstanding golf and lifestyle destinations”.

The site gained permission in September 2024, months into new ownership, for the demolition of existing conservatories and construction of a large restaurant and terraces.

This move is to include a “high-end” brasserie of 85 covers, a signature fine dining space with 18 covers, a chef’s table for eight people and a private dining space for 22 patrons.

There will be a kitchen garden growing produce for the restaurants and providing a backdrop for diners – overlooking the garden and ninth hole.

When it had taken ownership, Charjen had said it intended to build a new wedding venue with space for hundreds of guests, further accommodation throughout the estate, a new state-of-the-art driving range and simulators, high-end spa facilities and swimming pools.