A club house at a Suffolk golf course could be transformed into a home as lack of demand and increasing costs has meant it is no longer needed.

Peter Clapperton and Susan Moore, who have owned Clare Park Lake Golf Club since 1993, are seeking permission from West Suffolk Council to convert the existing club house into a four-bedroom home. 

This is a fresh submission following the withdrawal of a previous application on the advice of the planning officer who said they should provide further information on potential alternative uses as well as details surrounding the redundancy of the building. 

In the fresh proposal, the applicants said the building will no longer be needed as permission was granted for a new reception building to be built in February 2023, which will provide the facilities in the current club house. 

A statement to the council said: "Unfortunately, due to the lack of customer demand and the increasing cost of heating and energy it is no longer economic to continue to open the club house.

"The applicants wish to keep the golf course operational, but can only afford do this if it can be run at a low cost.

"The club house needs a viable use, and it is therefore proposed to convert the whole of the club house to a dwelling.

"Commercial use as a clubhouse, tea shop and meeting facility having been tried for many years have all failed to provide sufficient return."

The statement said the applicant has also tried to sell the site as a whole for almost two years.

The home would include four bedrooms on the first floor, with an open plan living room, dining area and kitchen, office and snug on the ground floor.