A GOLF club with dwindling membership wants to build holiday apartments as its closure becomes a 'real danger'.

Planning permission is sought from Epping Forest District Council to build 10 two-bed holiday units at Toot Hill Golf Club, 6km east of Epping.

If approved the open plan, en suite apartments would replace sheds left over from the site's use as a farm before work begun on its conversion in 1988.

Twenty-seven years after it opened to the public and Toot Hill has found itself in financial trouble.

An accountant at Giess Wallis Crisp LLP said: "Over recent years there has been a steady decline in the number of members at the golf club.

"This has reduced from around 400 members to an expected membership for 2018/19 of around 150.

"This has required the owners and managers to assess the ongoing funding of the golf club, There have been many golf clubs in the local area close over the last couple of years."

Despite the 'renowned undulating parkland course' being 'undoubtedly one of the finest in Essex' according to its website, sessions costing up to £40 a round might not been enough to balance the club's books.

"In order to secure the future of Toot Hill Golf Club Ltd it is necessary to diversify the business income stream to survive and ensure the club is financially viable," the accountant continued.

"At Toot Hill it is planned to construct golfing holiday accommodation in place of a barn. These are expected to benefit the golf club."

The application submitted to the council goes on to say 'without additional diversification there is a real danger that the golf course will close.'