Two holes, four and five, have been identified as being at immediate risk of being lost to the sea. The golf club wants to replace these holes on land it owns about 1,300ft (400m) to the west inland, providing a buffer zone away from the eroding coastline. Great Yarmouth Borough Council's planning officers have recommended the changes to the course are approved at a meeting on 8 April. Council officials said in a report the loss of existing golf holes because of erosion would severely affect the viability of the golf club.
Gorleston Golf Club is the UK's most easterly golf course, located next to the shoreline between the town of Gorleston and the village of Hopton. According to the club's agent and golf course architect, Simon Gidman, the site has been affected by erosion for a number of years, particularly the southern half. He added that the north is perhaps better protected thanks to the sea wall at Great Yarmouth. The club purchased 50 acres of land at the beginning of the millennium to prepare for the threat posed by erosion.
The site has been affected by erosion for a number of years, particularly the southern half.
The club hoped work could start this spring and the course could be open for play by 2028, but it remains uncertain whether the planning committee will approve the changes at the meeting on 8 April. The exact timeline for when holes four and five might be lost to the sea is also unclear, as are the specific details of the new holes' design and layout.
The north is perhaps better protected thanks to the sea wall at Great Yarmouth.