GOLF course bosses have applied to turn a disused area of green belt into a retirement complex.

The owners of Pinehill Golf Club have submitted plans to build 17 eco-friendly retirement homes on the outskirts of their nine-hole course in Noak Hill Road, Billericay.

But a councillor has warned about the possible knock-on effects of passing the plans.

Cllr Phil Turner also raised concerns it could leave other golf courses open to development – notably the Burstead course in Tye Common Road.

Linda McDowell, who co-owns the Pinehill course, says she intends to improve facilities at the site by setting up a golf school for local youngsters if the proposals get the go-ahead.

She said: "I know some people think we are trying to actually develop the golf course but that's just not true.

"This is just a bunch of ugly looking outbuildings that used to be used as workshops and chicken sheds which we want to turn into a cluster of bungalows and homes for retired people looking to downsize.

"We have a lot of school children coming down and it would be good to improve things for their benefit.

"All the people and residents I have spoken to have been in favour of it."

In January last year the Gazette revealed the owners of Burstead Golf Club were considering applying for permission to build homes across their course.

It left the local community reeling.

Cllr Phil Turner says the council should steer clear of passing these latest plans for fear of setting a precedent.

He said: "If you give developers an inch they will take a mile.

"They might say it's only 17 properties but we have dealt with this sort of situation before.

"The next thing they will do is come back and ask for more and more because we would have set the precedent.

"People should be legitimately concerned that these plans could have a devastating knock-on effect for the whole community.

"Nobody wants to move into a house next to a picturesque golf course to find out a housing estate is going to be built."

The plans are set to be considered in pubic by Basildon District Council's planning committee within the next three months.