Golfers who play at the Broome Manor Golf Complex have hit back at accusations they are a “snobbish elite”.

Scores of players at the southern Swindon courses packed Swindon Borough Council’s chamber last week to oppose plans by the company that runs the courses, Twigmarket Ltd, to significantly change the setup there, including building eight all-weather football pitches and extra parking.

Those pitches will use land currently used by three holes of the nine-hole course.

At the meeting Twigmarket’s boss Jeremy Sturgess contrasted the reaction to that plan to an earlier plan for a squash club on the same land which was not unpopular and suggested there was an element of “snobbishness” in the "golfing elite who don’t want to share with footballers”.

READ MORE: Broome Manor boss hits out at council after they turn down application

That has drawn a firm rebuttal.

The chairman of the golf club which uses the complex, Peter Connelly said: “Broome Manor is one of the least snobbish clubs in the country. All sorts of people play there.

"Many footballers already play golf at Broome Manor. In fact, I played football in the Army for 25 years and also played for a couple of semi-professional teams in England and Germany.”

Mr Connelly said golfers opposed the proposed development because removing holes from the nine-hole course would affect inclusivity – making the complex less attractive to those who are not able to play 18 holes - younger golfers, learners, the elderly, and the infirm.

He added: “Broome Manor Golf Complex is one of the most successful, inclusive and diverse leisure facilities in Swindon.

READ MORE: Broome Manor Golf complex plans refused in stormy meeting

"All are welcome. The members wish to keep it that way. Jeremy Sturgess’s comments were not well chosen however the club’s aim is to consult with Jeremy and suggest ways forward that can help make the complex more sustainable and also increase Twigmarket Ltd’s revenue.

“The truth of the matter is that the infrastructure at Broome cannot accommodate the increase in traffic that the proposed eight football pitches will bring. Also, there will be unacceptable levels of noise and light pollution to residential properties, some of which are within 60m of current car parks."

Jeremy Sturgess’s comments were condemned as “disgraceful” in the council chamber by Councillor Jane Milner-Barry.

Members voted, against officers’ advice, to reject the renovation plans. Mr Sturgess has said the company will appeal against that decision and expects that to be “a formality”.