A CRAZY golf course next door to York’s Designer Outlet has been recommended for approval by council planners.

The Press reported in July that International Golf Development, in Beverley, wanted to create the 12-hole course beside the shopping centre just south of York.

And now it looks set to be given the green light at a City of York Council planning meeting on Thursday.

If the plans are approved, the designer outlet would lose 26 parking spaces, but gain a unique putting course.

Players would begin their game at a Shambles-style clubhouse to pick up their clubs and balls, before embarking on a tour around tricky holes with designs based on York’s long history.

Holes have been designed around the Bar Walls, St Mary’s Abbey, Clifford’s Tower and a Viking longboat to give players a variety of challenges.

Other obstacles will include a 1.4 metre high Viking helmet, stocks and a hut in the style of one of the Shambles buildings, between holes 11 and 12.

A report prepared for the council said the putting course should be backed because of the benefit it could have on the Designer Outlet.

It states: “It is considered that the proposal would complement the existing retail function of the site, potentially making it more attractive as a retail destination thus bringing economic benefits to the area.”

Planners do believe the course is an “inappropriate” development for the greenbelt, but positive factors outweigh anything which could potentially be a risk. They also believe games on the course will only coincide with shopping trips and that the loss of 26 car parking spaces will not effect the roads.