Buddhists hit out at 'resort' expansion

Councillors will today be asked to refuse the scheme by the KP Club for 25 holiday lodges in open countryside just under a mile from Pocklington and close to the Madhyamaka Buddhist Centre at Kilnwick Percy Hall.

The centre, which offers meditation courses, has been home for the last 25 years to a Mahayana Buddhist community of lay and ordained practitioners.

The Buddhists say since KP Club built the Glasshouse – a substantial glass-fronted clubhouse which hosts stag events and hen parties and people on short breaks as well as golfers – their peace has been shattered.

Director Kevin Thomson said: "We've had no conflict with anyone for 25 years. The issue here isn't with golf but it is becoming a tourist resort and the type of entertainment they are looking for -– drinking, partying and discos – is in direct conflict with anyone who lives nearby, not just the Buddhist centre.

"Our stay depends on our community being happy and being able to follow their spiritual beliefs. Our numbers have gone down from 40 to 25.

"At one time this was a desirable place for Buddhists to live – but you try and meditate when all you hear is pounding bass."

Other objectors include local residents and Nunburnholme Parish Council.

KP Club spokesman Paul Hannon said he did not recognise Mr Thomson's claims, and said people were coming for a relaxing getaway. He said the scheme would bring "extra trade, extra jobs and extra revenue".

Planning officials are recommending refusal of the scheme, saying it would spoil the area's "prevailing undeveloped intact nature".