COUNCILLORS in Lyme Regis have decided they should comment on plans for changes at the town's golf club despite claims that they should declare an interest.

At their meeting on Wednesday councillors recommended plans for the timber driving range and Car park extension be approved.

In last week's News former Uplyme parish councillor David Sole said the town council should collectively declare an interest and not discuss or vote on the matter because they own the neighbouring land, Strawberry Field.

In his letter he said: "The council could hardly claim to be impartial and have no interest in the outcome of this application, since it is clear that permission to build on the practice ground could provide a precedent that would help towards achieving that ambition."

Mr Sole attended the planning meeting on Wednesday night. The meeting was chaired by Coun Spencer Hogg, who thought that the, council should not discuss the item.

He said: "We can't be seen to have a biased opinion, since as a council We wish to build sports and changing facilities on Strawberry Field.

"I feel that we should abstain from making a comment."

In August last year, the town council gave the go ahead for the golf club's original application to build a driving range but this was later rejected by the district council because it was against a range of planning policies, including the district council's local plan.

At Wednesday's meeting councillors said they could not see why they should not vote and make a recommendation on the amended plans when they had voted on the previous proposal.

Coun Daryl Turner said: "If we recommended this in the first place, I can't understand why we

can't vote for it now.

"It's a facility for the town."

Coun Ken Whetlor agreed and asked: "Why shouldn't we vote?"

Coun Turner said: "Why should we be swayed by one person's comment?"

"The only way that this town can grow and expand is to go into that area.

"I have no objections - Lyme has been growing for hundreds of years and will continue to grow."

Coun Peter Williams said: "We haven't got a planning application so I can't see why we shouldn't vote."

The council then agreed to recommend to the district council the plans be approved. '

The amended application by Lyme Regis Golf Club is that the building is reduced in length by about 10 metres. It would contain four driving bays, one tuition bay and include a store office with car parking.

Uplyme Parish Council has voted to oppose the application.