Membership
Q: Where does the local membership stand in terms of priority, given that much of the current focus is based upon developing an international resort?
A: The local membership continues to be a very important part of the business mix at St Mellion, both now and in to the future. A valued and happy membership will be integral to the future success of the resort and as such sits very high on our list of priorities. At all times we will endeavour to ensure that our decisions and actions reflect the importance of our membership to us as a business and that the preferences of our membership majority are considered fully in our decision making processes.
Q: Will Crown Golf be publishing the membership fees for 2010 onwards?
A: Membership fees will continue to be determined on an annual basis. These will be determined by prevailing market conditions as is currently the case. A full review of the St Mellion membership structure and pricing will be undertaken to ensure that the categories of membership offered and the pricing of such categories accurately reflect the product offered and the target market of the resort as a whole. The results of this review will be published upon completion; this is likely to be during Summer 2008.
Q: In what way will the members be compensated for their loyalty during the disruption experienced over the next few years, despite the fact they have signed a 3-year contract for a particular range of facilities?
A: At renewal in 2007, all members were offered the option to renew their membership on a fixed price basis for a term of 3 years, in full knowledge of the redevelopment plans. This means in real terms that subscription levels will be reduced in years 2 and 3 of those contracts approximately 80% of members chose this option at that time.
Golf
Q: Is it true that there will only be 18 holes available to members during the development?
A: There will always be 27 holes available to play during the redevelopment; it is likely that this restricted availability will only be for a period of 6 months between April and October 2008.
Q: A commitment to maintain 36 holes of golf were promised to members during consultation and in advance of 3 year agreements being entered into. How can this be rationalised in light of the forthcoming closure of 9 holes for a period of up to 6 months?
A: The commitment referred to was made at development consultation meetings in advance of the outline planning application. It was made in response to an enquiry relating to the St Mellion golf offer post completion of the golf homes development and not with regard to temporary closures required to facilitate the necessary course upgrade works. Accordingly, this commitment is factually correct and was made in good faith there will still be 36 holes of golf available to the membership on a permanent basis once the development has been completed.
The upgrade works to the Nicklaus Course are effectively maintenance works rather than redevelopment works and as such would have to have been undertaken at some point whether or not the development occurred. The redevelopment works to the Old Course are unlikely to necessitate any significant disruption to member play during the period of redevelopment as the required new features and holes can be created in isolation of the existing golf course configuration. We firmly believe that the investments being made to both courses will substantially improve the golfing experience at St Mellion and genuinely appreciate the support and patience of the golf members during the redevelopment period.
Q: Will member golf competitions be valid for handicap purposes during this season?
A: It is likely that the majority of member competitions will continue to be played over the 18 holes of the Old Course during the period of redevelopment. Consequently, handicaps will continue to be adjusted in the normal manner.
Q: How will the golf members free buggies be administered once the course of the day approach has been adopted?
A: Generally, the course of the day will utilize the available 9 holes of the Nicklaus Course as the back 9. Therefore, buggies will be made available for that portion of the 18 hole round as is currently the case.
Q: Will there still be as many society groups playing even though there will be only 27 holes until further notice?
A: It is our opinion that society numbers will naturally reduce during the period of the redevelopment because in the main the majority of golf societies that visit St Mellion do so specifically to play the Nicklaus Course. We have already seen significantly reduced levels of bookings since the announcement of the redevelopment programme and the adoption of a course of the day approach.
Q: Will the driving range be re-furbished and also include floodlights?
A: There will be refurbishment works on the current driving range as well as the creation of a new short game practice area. This will unfortunately not include the lights due to current planning constraints.
Professional Golf Tournaments
Q: Rumour has it that despite the planning approval, the return of the European Tour is not confirmed?
A: This is not the case; we have a contract with European Tour to hold a professional golf tournament from 2009 onwards for a minimum period of 5 years. It was announced on 3 March 2008 that this event would in fact be the renowned and high profile English Open Tournament.
Q: How many major golf tournaments will be held each year (amateur and professional) causing limited access to members for both the golf and leisure facilities they have paid for?
A: It is currently proposed that only one tournament of sufficient size to cause restricted facility availability will be held each year.
Roads & Car Parking
Q: Can you please clarify what exactly is going to happen with regard to the existing St Mellion Resort access road and the use of the new access road being created from Viverden Down Roundabout?
A: A new access road from Viverden Down Roundabout will be created and funded by Crown Golf/St Mellion, which will join the existing site access road from the A388, approximately half way along. Once complete the ownership of the road will pass to Cornwall County and will be adopted as a Public Highway. Accordingly, public access will be maintained along this new road at all times once complete. Immediately after the opening of the new access road the existing entrance will be closed for public access, being maintained solely for emergency access and use during high traffic events at St Mellion.
Q: What will be done to try and ensure that Church Lane does not become a rat run used by people coming to or leaving from the St Mellion Resort?
A: As part of the planning consent Crown Golf/St Mellion were required to contribute a significant cash sum to assist with traffic calming measures through the village of St Mellion. The exact nature of expenditure will be determined by the County Highways Authority in consultation with local residents. One of the key measures proposed to try and ensure that there is no significant increase in traffic along Church Lane is to make Church Lane an access only route for people with bona fide reasons for travelling into St Mellion village breach of the access only rules is punishable by a fine and a 6 point penalty.
We at St Mellion have committed to fund appropriate signage at either end of Church Lane with the specific desire to ensure that visitors to and from the
St Mellion Resort are actively discouraged from driving through the village of St Mellion. We will also undertake a high profile process of member education in an attempt to minimize the incidence of local people who are not residents of St Mellion Village using Church Lane as a thorough fare.
Q: When will the turning head in Church Lane be constructed?
A: As yet there is no definite date for the construction of the turning head in Church Lane. It is likely that we will wait until the issues concerning traffic calming measures for the village of St Mellion have been finally determined prior to determining the exact date and location of the turning head construction.
Q: Already the heavy vehicles are causing the roadway to break up causing
potholes What is to be done about it?
A: Technically, Maintenance of the access road is the responsibility of Cornwall County Highways as it is a public highway. We will liaise with the Highways Authority to ensure that the road is appropriately maintained. Should this process take an unnecessary amount of time, we will undertake temporary repairs at our cost until such time as the Highways Authority are able to complete permanent repairs.
Q: Will Crown Golf be actively supporting the development of a St Mellion
by-pass?
A: We believe that the development of a St Mellion by-pass would be beneficial to all local residents. Accordingly, if consulted, we would support this development. However, it is not the policy of our company to involve ourselves in general political issues on a un-solicitored basis.
Q: Will additional car parking be provided as part of the development?
A: Yes, we will be providing an incremental 550 car parking spaces as part of the redevelopment programme.
Q: Will there be priority parking for members once the development is complete?
A: Yes, Car Park 2, opposite the existing overflow car park will be designated members priority parking. For golfers there will be a manned golf drop off point in order that golf clubs maybe unloaded in proximity to the club house prior to the vehicles being finally parked in an appropriately designated area.
Q: Will there be more disabled/parent toddler parking spaces available and how will they be managed?
A: There will be an appropriate and proportionate increase in both disabled and parent/toddler spaces. They will be approximate to the hotel entrance. It is intended that there will be increased pro-active supervision of these spaces post development completion.
Q: Will the car parking include lighting for security?
A: Car Park lighting will be limited due to planning constraints.
Golf Homes
Q: Are the golf homes able to be sub-let?
A: The golf homes being developed by Living Villages will be sold as private holiday residences, they may not be purchased as a principal primary residence. As such it is likely that a number of the properties will be purchased in order that they maybe sub-let from time to time by their owners in order to generate secondary income. St Mellion International Resort will be operating a lodge letting business in order to assist this process if required by the owners.
Q: With the new golf homes will they automatically become golf or health club members?
A: No, there are no inclusive membership rights conferred upon acquisition of a golf home property. Owners will be free to purchase memberships at advertised prices subject to availability
Miscellaneous
Q: Are both golf and leisure changing rooms being re-furbished?
A: Yes, there will be a cosmetic refurbishment of all facilities including both the leisure and golf changing rooms.
Q: With the disruption on going, how will the members be updated?
A: New website pages have been created relating specifically to the redevelopment project. This will be updated as and when significant issues or developments arise. There will also be further additions of the recently produced St Mellion Development Newsletter.
Q: Will there be on site security measures?
A: Appropriate on site security will be provided. Detailed plans for this are yet to be finalised.
Q: Given that the gym is being extended, will that mean closure for any period of time?
A: The sports hall area will be unavailable for approximately 4 weeks during the summer months as the reconfiguration works are undertaken.
Q: Will there be catering facilities available during the refurbishment?
A: There will be a range of catering facilities available at all times during the course of the redevelopment. These will inevitably vary in size and offer, as different areas of the existing facilities are refurbished.
Q: What incremental leisure facilities maybe added as part of the overall redevelopment?
A: As yet no final decisions have been made as to how the funds identified for incremental leisure facilities will be used. There have been many good suggestions and the decision making process is ongoing. Any suggestions from members would be gratefully received in order that we investigate all sensible proposals.
Q: Will cycle racks be provided in order to encourage people to travel to and from St Mellion?
A: We are committed to encouraging people to take the greener option wherever possible. There will be a significant number of cycle parking spaces provided as part of the overall parking strategy. We also have a green travel plan as part of our approved planning consent, which is aimed at reducing the number of car journeys made to and from St Mellion by our employee team and local membership.
