Plans to build a 24-bay covered driving range at The Warwickshire Hotel and Country Club have been given the green light by Warwick District Council.

The Leek Wootton club, which has two "championship standard" 18 hole golf courses, had applied to demolish its existing driving range and replace it with a more modern design.

Currently the club has 23 bays, only nine of which are covered.

Owner The Club Company Ltd had originally applied to build a 30-bay range - some of which would have been two-storey - with high netting.

However, the netting was removed and the design altered before the application was approved.

"As the majority of the driving range is uncovered and open to the elements, its ability to offer all year round use is limited," the planning application said.

"Whilst the club's owner, The Club Company, has invested heavily in the hotel development and improvements to the health and fitness centre, new investment is needed in its golf offer if The Warwickshire is to maintain and build upon its position as a prestige golfing venue capable of hosting leading competitions and providing the latest facilities to its members and visitors," it added.

Plans also include a central entrance and reception area with toilet facilities.

The proposal also includes a groundskeeper’s store and ball wash area for "storage of golf ball collection equipment".

Approving the application, a council report said the structure would not impact on the openness of the green belt.

"Whilst a driving range provides for practise of a sport within a covered space, the nature of driving ranges is that they are open on one side and allow for practise of a sport which is otherwise played wholly outdoors," it said.

The council also said the entrance area would not be allowed to have catering facilities, with only a vending machine permitted.