Policy information sourced from Dacorum Local Plan 2004 Alteration

78 Golf Courses

New golf courses will normally be encouraged to locate in areas of visually damaged, derelict or unfarmable land where development would improve the environment and create more valuable wildlife habitats.

New golf courses will not be permitted where they would adversely affect the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Policy 97), Landscape Regions (Policy 98), sites of importance to nature conservation (Policy 102), historic parks and gardens (Policy 114) and areas of important archaeological remains (Policy 118), or take high quality agricultural land (Policy 108).

Sites should have good access to the primary road network and must not require road improvements which would be harmful to the rural environment.

Every course must be sensitively designed in relation to the landscape, natural environment and archaeological features. Proposals involving significant alterations to levels, either by the extraction or importation of large quantities of material, will not be permitted. Clubhouses, other buildings and associated car parking must be ancillary to the golfing use of the site, and well screened and landscaped, with any intrusion from lighting kept to a minimum. A landscape and ecological management plan will be required to ensure the protection, enhancement and management of the course environment and to minimise water consumption.

An environmental impact assessment will be required for all 18 hole golf courses.

For more information please see the Local Plan