Golfers protesting against plans to revamp their club's course to include football pitches were motivated by elitism and snobbery.

That was the verdict of Broome Manor Golf Complex boss Jeremy Sturgess at a stormy planning meeting on Tuesday evening which saw his plans thrown out.

But his opponents who use the complex cheered borough councillors like they had holed a long putt to win the Ryder Cup as the committee turned down the plans.

The councillors voted, by a majority, to refuse the proposals by leaseholder Twigmarket Ltd to build a huge new double-decker driving range, new visitor facilities, an adventure golf course, and crucially, eight all-weather football pitches and new parking which would go where the last three holes of the current nine-hole course are sited.

And they did so despite strong advice from the council’s solicitor Craig Hallett that if they rejected the proposals - which had been recommended for approval by officers - without good planning reasons, the council would almost certainly lose any appeal and also be liable for Twigmarket’s costs.

That appeal is almost certain to be lodged by Twigmarket whose boss Jeremy Sturgess said: “We will obviously appeal and would hope to prevail in the end.”

Opponents of the scheme had packed the public gallery and some of the members’ seats and applauded every point made against the plans. They had brought banners and signs both to this committee meeting and the one in December where the golf complex application had been due for a decision but was postponed owing to a procedural matter.

Speaking in favour of his scheme Mr Sturgess said there had been much less opposition to an approved plan for a health club and squash courts on the same three holes: “What’s the difference? I believe it’s football. I believe there’s an element of snobbishness – a golf elite who don’t want to share with footballers.”

Mr Sturgess asserted that the market for traditional golf was diminishing and that it needed “cross-subsidy” from the adventure golf course and football pitches to ensure the long-term viability of the entire complex.

He told the meeting that there were discussions between the club and Twigmarket on two possible plans to maintain a nine-hole course and allow the building of the football pitches.

This was disputed by two members of Broome Manor Golf Club. Damien Mackman the Treasurer said: "Golf is not in decline – participation is booming and there is a waiting list to join the trust.

"This will have an impact on players who are elderly, those with disabilities and the ill, and their ability to take exercise.

“Do not allow the destruction of a treasured Oasis which will be lost forever.

Mr Mackman quoted former world top 10 professional golfer David Howell who learned the game at Broome Manor and said: “Everyone has a right to sport and the nine-hole course is a gentle introduction to a difficult game.”

The club’s chairman Peter Connelly raised non-sporting objections, including noise and light pollution to neighbours from football in the evening, and the increase in traffic on a narrow, unlit road - the only route into the complex.

Committee member Jane Milner-Barry said Mr Sturgess’ characterisation of his opponents as “snobs” was disgraceful.

She suggested a condition could be added mandating an agreed plan on keeping the nine-hole course which must be in use before pitches are constructed.

While acceptable to Mr Sturgess, members of the golf club were alarmed as it looked likely to be agreed.

In the end, despite dire warnings, the committee voted for Coun Curtis Flux’s motion to reject the plans in order to maintain the nine-hole course as it is.