A NEW bowling club for Bere Alston has been given the go-ahead by planners, beginning a new chapter in this Bere parish success story. West Devon Borough Council?s planning committee wholeheartedly supported the scheme at its meeting last week after enthusiastic comments from ward members Cllr Christine Grills and Eaon Wager. Chairman of the 125-member club Keith Whitting said he was ?over the moon? and the new premises would be built as soon as all the funds were in place. Following some local objections regarding access, an increase in traffic and the effect on the amenity of neighbouring residents, planning officers had recommended that members visit the site before making a decision, but the two local councillors felt it was not necessary. A clubhouse, bowling green and car parking area were proposed for land off the B3257 and The Down in Bere Alston. Cllr Grills said there had been a bowling club in the village since 1985, it had a thriving membership and was enjoyed by young and old. She said: ?In all the time it has been at its present site there have been no complaints regarding excess noise, disturbance and traffic problems. ?The current site is leased by the club but the lease is due to run out and is not renewable.? She said the club had been looking at the opportunity of buying a site and this was the only suitable one available. ?The closure of the club would have a very serious effect on the recreation of a large amount of people ? it is a valuable asset to the area,? she added. Cllr Wager said there would be less traffic movements because people could walk from the village to the club via a public footpath. ?The bowling club has been the one really great achievements of the Bere parish ? it would be such a shame to see it close,? he said. With Britain hosting the Olympics in 2012, the council needed to support sports wherever it could, added Cllr Dilwyn Hughes. A stepped effect would be created within the site, with the car park occupying a slightly elevated position, said planning officers: ?On one hand this development may represent an urbanising of the site in conflict with its countryside location, but on the other the proposed use and siting are not detrimental to the amenities of neighbouring residents in the proposed location.? Mr Whitting said this site was as near perfect as they could get and he was delighted the committee had approved it. He said: ?I am over the moon and would like it to happen as soon as possible. We have some money set aside but need to raise quite a bit more before we can start.?
