London Golf Club Secures Approval for Multi-Million Pound Luxury Resort Development in Kent

London Golf Club Set to Transform into Luxury Resort

Kent, UK – The London Golf Club in Ash, Kent, has received the green light for an ambitious multi-million-pound development that promises to elevate the venue into a premier luxury resort. The local council’s planning committee has approved plans for a new 240-bedroom hotel, spa, sports pavilion, and luxury lodges, marking a significant transformation for the club.

The extensive development, set to unfold over the next five years, will introduce a range of new facilities designed to attract families and non-golfers alike. Among the highlights are a state-of-the-art sports turf academy featuring a classroom and a 3G football pitch, as well as padel and tennis courts, equestrian facilities, and a natural swimming lake. A new pavilion will include a children’s club, fitness studios, and diverse dining options, creating a vibrant community hub.

Currently home to two Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-hole courses—The Heritage and The International—the London Golf Club aims to redefine itself as a year-round destination rather than just a seasonal venue for golfers.

The first phase of the project will see the conversion of the Grade II-listed South Ash Manor into a stunning wedding venue complete with guest accommodations. This initial step is expected to kick off next year, although a precise timeline has yet to be established.

Stephen Follett, the club’s chief executive since 2016, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating it would significantly enhance the club’s status and bolster its chances of hosting the prestigious Ryder Cup in 2035. “The project first came about because of a Ryder Cup bid that we were involved in, and our hospitality offering was the weakest part of it,” Follett explained. “We had an existing planning permission for a 140-bedroom hotel, but it wasn’t enough for what we wanted to achieve.”

Follett envisions the development as a “turnkey solution for any event,” catering to global, national, and local needs. “We’re building the kind of infrastructure that is expected at world-class venues,” he added.

The project is currently in the design phase, led by Hythe-based architects Hollaway Studio. Follett noted that the planning process took nearly two years, and the team is now focused on detailed design work. “I’d like to think that sometime, probably a year from now, you’ll see a digger coming down the drive,” he said, hinting at the exciting developments to come.

As the London Golf Club embarks on this transformative journey, it aims to become a nationally recognized resort, blending luxury accommodations with world-class sporting facilities, all while maintaining its rich golfing heritage.