SINGLE-STOREY leisure homes will be built on a driving range at Tydd St Giles Golf Club as its expansion as a holiday village continues.

The club, owned by Sunday Times Rich List regular John Morphet, was first granted permission for holiday lodges in 2005 but has since grown its accommodation offering.

Now, the club will turn one of its driving ranges into 51 single-storey leisure homes.

Fenland District Council has approved the plans despite concerns from neighbours that the club’s holiday ventures are infringing on its golf.

In five letters of objection submitted to the council, neighbours also expressed concerns about health and safety issues because of the “incompatibility” of golfers and tourists.

There were also fears of a “blatant disregard” of earlier planning conditions as the new homes could be occupied all year round - as opposed to previous planning permissions which had conditions to prevent such occupation during January.

As the golf club marks its 20th year since being transformed from farmland, the new plans will take the total number of holiday lodges – which come in a range of designs – to more than 100.

Planning permission has also been granted for an extension to the clubhouse.

A planning report said: “The concerns of the neighbours have been considered and have not been dismissed lightly.

“The principle of holiday accommodation within the golf course complex has been established under previous permissions and the accommodation, although extensive, is located well within the site on an area that is no longer required for the golfing operation.”

The lodges will vary in size and number of bedrooms and will be “of modern, pre-fabricated construction”.

Mr Morphet, 57, has made his money in the leisure and caravan industry and has an estimated fortune of �135million. He owns Pure Leisure which owns Tydd St Giles Golf and Country Club.