Plans for new virtual golf facility in full swing

Golfers can expect to hone their skills at a new virtual facility after plans were approved.

Basildon Council signed off on the application for the golf practice area at Basildon Sporting Village in Essex.

There would be 10 covered practice bays that would look over a synthetic grass outfield area measuring 30m by 30m (98ft).

Independent Mo Larkin, who chairs the council planning committee, said: "I think probably it's a good use of spare land."

The sporting village, that is just off Cranes Farm Road, already offers a range of sporting facilities including an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

It was also where gold-medal winning Olympic gymnast Max Whitlock has perfected his skills.

A planning officer told the meeting on Wednesday the facility would improve the leisure centre and support healthy lifestyles, and councillors voted in favour of the plan.

Everyone Active runs Basildon Sporting Village and submitted the application.

The leisure company's area contract manager Shaun Beagle said: "This exciting addition represents a significant investment and will create fantastic opportunities for people of all ages and abilities."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr Beagle said the facility would be operated by GolfPod.

Virtual golf games typically use technology and screens to simulate the experience of playing a real round of golf.

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