THE 'Smugglers' Cove' adventure golf course proposed by Bournemouth council for the seafront has won planning permission.

The approval comes despite a range of concerns raised by the borough's urban design officer over the materials proposed for the 18-hole course, which will be sited on the former Imax Waterfront site by Pier Approach.

It is intended to be a temporary facility, lasting for only a few years, since the site is part of the wider Bath Road car park area earmarked for the Bournemouth Development Company to create a major leisure scheme.

A report by planning officer Peter Burridge says: "The site is currently utilised as a flexible event space – most events take place during the months of April-October.

"The proposal seeks to extend the use of this area to throughout the year and to enhance the leisure offer for visitors.

"The application proposes a closing time of 10pm in the evening in the peak season and where there is appropriate demand.

"Policy A3 allocates this site inclusive of the Bath Road car park for a leisure, cultural and entertainment scheme.

"This site has been allocated to the Bournemouth Development Company, but it is understood that long term redevelopment proposals are unlikely to come forward in the short term but may be anticipated within five to eight years.

"Aspirations are to create a new cultural quarter of leisure attractions and amenities."

Themed around the area's smuggling heritage, the course proposal attracted some concern from the council's urban design officer, whose notes stated that "real rocks would be preferable to the faux rocks", that "Purbeck stone is suggested in lieu red brick ruined wall", that "the decoy shack and entrance kiosk appear generic" and "stone and brick appear painted on – questions raised over quality".

However borough planners agreed that materials had been correctly chosen based on both their thematic suitability – the red brick ruined wall "is historically representative of St Andrew's Church" – and for practical reasons with a temporary structure.

The Imax building's basement still lies under the site making real rocks unfeasible, the council says.

The report says: "The decoy shack is themed around ‘decoy cottage’ which was in situ near the site of Debenhams by the 1740s.

"Despite its name, it was akin to a cow shed used to winter cattle and fatten them on turnips.

"By the mid-eighteenth century, it had become a notorious haunt and hiding place for local smugglers and by the 1760s was known as Bourne House.

"St Andrews Church red brick ruin featured within the course is believed to have played a part in Bournemouth’s smuggling history.

"Tales report evidence of rope gouge marks in the tower of St Andrew's Church in Kinson indicating it was used as a secret hide for smuggled goods.

"Supposedly tunnels reached under the church and connected to nearby properties owned by Issac Gulliver.

"Some of the tombs in the church yard were supposed to feature entrances down into underground stores."

The council plans to open the attraction this summer.

Last April, former Bournemouth mayor Rod Cooper led calls for a tropical butterfly house on the land, however he said the council had refused to lease the site for the project.