National Park status no handicap for KOR golfing client Longshot
A thorough communications and engagement strategy undertaken by KOR Communications helped golf course owners Longshot III Ltd. secure planning permission for the reinvigoration of three golf clubs, including two within National Parks.
The proposals for all three sites included major investment in new sports and hospitality facilities, visitor accommodation and conservation measures, providing valuable biodiversity gains.
The KOR team, led by public affairs specialist Andrew Howard, was engaged to carry out pre-application community consultations on proposals for Somerset’s Farrington Park Golf Club, Teign Valley Golf Club in Dartmoor National Park and Blacknest Golf & Country Club set within the South Downs National Park.
Andrew said: "Engaging early and thoroughly with all stakeholders is essential in any planning consultation but with the particularly strong connection golf club members feel to their club, we knew engagement on these proposals needed to be absolutely watertight.
"Using our experience gained over many years across a wide range of development proposals we were able to ensure that these consultations provided all stakeholders with the full picture early on in the planning process.
"Some of the feedback fell outside what is strictly necessary for planning purposes. But the fact that our clients took onboard those concerns and modified their plans showed the planning authorities that the clubs' owners were acting in good faith."
KOR Communications engaged golf club members, stakeholders and neighbouring communities with a series of exhibitions, presentations, meetings and a project website, inviting feedback to inform the refinement of the proposals ahead of a planning application.
Permission for the proposals at Farrington Park was granted by Somerset Council in February 2025, followed in July by approval from the South Downs National Park Authority and, latterly, the Dartmoor National Park Authority in September.
KOR Communications managing director Annette Richman said: "Working over a number of months on projects like this means our team becomes closely involved with the client and their proposals. It was satisfying to see these plans finally come to fruition and we will be following their progress with great interest."
If you need support from our public affairs team with a development project, please contact KOR Communications at hello@korpr.co.uk.