Plans to build a £2.75 million state-of-the-art health club have been thrown out.

The proposals would have transformed Witham's Benton Hall Golf Club by doubling the size of the existing clubhouse and creating a gymnasium, aerobics studio, sauna and 20-metre swimming pool.

The plans had been backed by Witham Town Council, but Braintree District Witham Area Committee last night refused planning permission for the new leisure complex.

Councillor James Abbott (Green, Witham, Silver End and Rivenhall) attacked the proposals from the Clubhaus, the German company which owns the Wickham Hill-based club.

He said: "The application is contrary to policy in the county structure plan and that is enough in itself for us to refuse it.

"If this development was coming before us in the light of no other sports facilities in Witham then that would lend it some weight, but we have the Bramston sports centre and within a year new facilities at the Newlands Club."

Part of the proposal from Clubhaus was cease plans to build a hotel at the site. The club has planning permission for the proposal.

Councillor Ian Marshall (Lab, Kelvedon) said: "I feel trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea. If we don't agree to this we could get the hotel and it worries me we have to choose between the two."

The council heard from Marion Williams, of the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), who urged the plans to be refused.

Benton Hall manager Matthew Orwin said: "Obviously we are disappointed by the result of the meeting. Clubhaus has developed places on a number of occasions and they've always been a raging success."

He added Clubhaus had not made a decision on pressing ahead with plans for construction of a hotel at Benton Hall Golf Club.

Clubhaus has yet to decide if it would appeal against the planning refusal.

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