A NINE-hole golf course with a putting green and children's playground could be created on a Powick farm owned by Lord of the Manor Thomas Hawkins.

Mr Hawkins announced three years ago that he was looking for attractive alternatives for part of Manor Farm, where hop production had been hit by a progressive soil-borne disease.

The former hop fields had been turned over to pick-your-own soft fruits.

At the time Mr Hawkins - who bought his title - put forward suggestions for a country park with rural activities such as a hop maze, hop yard heritage trail, golf course or mountain bike course.

He also invited ideas and comments from local people, but received only one letter, suggesting the fruit farm should be extended and converted to organic production.

"Unfortunately we have had to put the fruit farm to one side after last year, because interest was getting less. It is so easy for people to go to the supermarket instead," he said.

"But one message I did get from the parish council was a worry about traffic levels, so we have decided not to be too ambitious.

"What we are now proposing is well within the ability of my four farm staff to develop and run."

The outline plan now before Malvern Hills District Coun-cil is for a nine-hole pay-and-play golf course, putting green, car park and children's active play area covering 65 acres above the flood plain.

The remainder of the 640-acre farm includes the flood meadows of Powick Common, which provide grazing, while the rest is arable land.

Powick parish council has recommended the plan for approval.

Planning chairman John Mason said a golf course would look nicer than what was there now.

He said: "It is a pick-your-own fruit farm and for 10 months of the year that land looks extremely untidy."