A RELIEVED golf centre owner's 26-year "battle" to install lighting on a driving range is finally over.

Ravenmeadow Golf Centre in Hindlip Lane, Worcester, finally has new ground lighting at its driving range which has been in use since Monday (September 23).

The centre gained planning approval from Worcester City Council in March.

But this followed three applications over 17 years by the centre's owner, James Leaver, and two applications from the centre's original founder David Rodway prior to that.

Mr Leaver said: "It was a mixture of happiness and relief when the application was approved.

"In a sense, I'd had a nagging battle with myself over the years thinking 'why won't they (the council) let us have lights?'."

Ground lighting has now been installed across Ravenmeadow Golf Centre's 16 driving range bays, enabling users to maintain visibility in the evenings and take advantage of the range's Toptracer technology - which tracks the golf ball for you.

Mr Leaver said: "Through the summer we're always really busy but as the evenings draw in it gets difficult.

"Every year in the spring it felt as if I was starting a new business - like we had to win these customers back because they had gone elsewhere through the autumn and winter.

The new ground lighting debuted on Monday (September 23), meaning the driving range is now open until 8.30pm all year round. (Image: James Leaver)

"Ravenmeadow has never been just for golfers. It's more of an entertainment facility as it has such broad appeal.

"Many of our customers are recreational so the driving range is key to that.

"As the evenings draw in quicker now, people will be able to come and enjoy the range after work."

Following the installation, the driving range will now be open until 8.30pm each night for the foreseeable future.

Previous owner David Rodway had lighting applications rejected in 1998 and 2000 because of the greenbelt land the golf centre is located in.

Mr Leaver made and withdrew two applications for floodlights in 2010 and 2022 before an application received in February 2024 was approved.

Mr Leaver added: "We altered our application to a more sympathetic ground lighting scheme rather than floodlights.

"I think it showed the council that we were conscious of our surroundings."