HEYTHROP Park Resort’s latest bid for golfing glory has failed to light the enthusiasm of neighbours.

The hotel complex, which includes a championship golf course, has applied to build a 12-bay driving range, which could be open from 7am until 9pm.

Nearby residents, English Heritage and a conservation trust are worried about potential problems with light pollution from the complex, near Enstone.

West Oxfordshire District council’s upland planning sub-committee is due to make a decision on the planning application today.

Last year, the hotel – owned by former Oxford United chairman Firoz Kassam – won permission to host international golf tournaments at its 18-hole course.

But plans to build the driving range in the Grade II* listed parkland around the hotel have not gone down so well.

The floodlights will point into the air to illuminate the flight of golf balls as they are hit from the tees.

The hotel argues that the lights used will “keep light pollution as low as possible” and said the upward slope of the range would also stop light spilling out of the immiediate area.

It said: “There are no properties within 1000m of the driving range ‘target’ area.

“There will be little tangible light pollution to properties such a distance from the range.”

But Andrew Dunsten, 61, of Little Tew, said: “The sky is reasonably dark here and I think it’s very important to see the sky clearly.

“Each additional development spoils it more.”

English Heritage said the range “would constitute an alien intrusion into a highly significant part of the park, particularly during the evenings when illuminated”.

In a letter to the council, Heythrop Parish Meeting said: “This application has caused quite a stir. There has been concern about the general and creeping increase in lighting at the Heythrop Park Hotels and their surroundings, which are in a rural area.”

The Enstone Uplands and District Conservation Trust said it was “strongly opposed” to the plan.

It said: “A number of properties in Heythrop village will be directly affected by and exposed to the floodlights, even though they are 1,000m away.

“Powerful lighting will also have an adverse impact upon biodiversity. For example, light attracts moths, disrupts their lifestyle and particularly interferes with their breeding. Light pollution has been identified as a major factor in the decline of moth populations.”

Heythrop Park Resort director John Angus said: “The driving range will finish off the golf course.

“It means people can practise during bad weather and it also gives us the opportunity to expand our business.”

District council planning officers are recommending approval of the proposal.

Their report said: “The proposal would not have an adverse impact upon the character and appearance of the wider landscape, due to light spillage from the proposed floodlighting.”