A father-and-son partnership have revealed full details of their plan to convert a Rutland golf course into an environmentally-friendly, mini Center Parcs.

The £30m redevelopment includes the creation of 60 naturally-built, luxury lodges with existing buildings being turned into a clubhouse and swimming pool at the 185-acre site just off the A1 near Stamford.

Colin and Chris Riddle bought Rutland County GC last April and changed its name to Woolfox Golf and Country Club, which is due to remain open for the remainder of the year before the three-year building programme kicks in next April (2022). They submitted their planning application last month.

“I’ve been looking for an opportunity to bring this concept to life and this seems like the perfect location, said Chris, who owns a restaurant in Stamford.

“We knew there wasn’t going to be a long-term future if we just kept the site as a golf course but think this will do well being so close to Stamford and Rutland with all the tourism they attract.”

The Riddles are determined to use local contractors during the construction phase having so far partnered with Bedford-based DLP Planning and Harris McCormack Architects from Peterborough.