PLANNING bosses have given the green light for a major new development at an Irvine golf course.
Dundonald Links is hoping to attract some of the biggest tournaments in the sport with millions in new investment.
Owned by Loch Lomond Golf Club, the course hosted its biggest event to date last year when thousands flocked to Irvine for the Ladies Scottish Open.
The company previously failed in their bids for the men's Scottish Open, losing out to Castle Stuart in Inverness last year.
But now Dundonald Links is looking to build on the success of the Ladies tournament and attract even more prestigious events.
Councillors were given full details of the plans at a special meeting of North Ayrshire Council's Planning Committee last Wednesday, February 24.
As part of the development, 45 private houses and 24 guest/hotel rooms would all be built in addition to the upgrade of the course clubhouse.
Loch Lomond Golf Club argued the new housing would benefit Irvine by increasing golfing facilities, events, generating additional spending in the economy, create new job prospects and attract more people to live in the area.
In the official report presented to the meeting, planning chief Jim Miller said the loss of open space within the site on Ayr Road would be outweighed by the improvements to the course and the wider economic benefits to North Ayrshire long-term.
The club insist the design of the new housing would be "unique" and of a type not currently available in North Ayrshire.
It was also revealed that Dundonald Links will be launching a new bid to host the Scottish Open in 2017.
Last year's tournament brought over £6million to Inverness and the surrounding areas with 60,000 people attending over four days.
The club also hope to become an Open qualifier course in the next few years.
At the meeting last week, Councillor Tom Marshall lodged an amendment for the plans to return to a future planning meeting for further determination which was seconded by Irvine Councillor Ian Clarkson.
But the majority of councillors voted to approve the proposals with Council Leader Willie Gibson describing them as "absolutely excellent".
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