KENNET planners have given an enthusiastic welcome to the proposed £70 million golf hotel at Tottenham House in Savernake Forest.

The Earl of Cardigan, his wife, and son, Viscount Savernake, were at the council's regulatory committee meeting on Thursday to hear the debate.

It is the biggest single leisure scheme ever in the Kennet district and possibly in the county.

About 200 jobs will be created when the 148 apartment hotel and PGA international standard golf course open.

The international consortium behind the scheme said they want to have the super luxury hotel and golf course open by 2008.

Some councillors queried why the planning application was in part outline although full planning consent was requested.

John Kirkman, chairman of the Kennet branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, told the committee: "We have never previously seen such an incomplete application.

"You should not authorise full planning permission on this outline basis."

Senior planning officer Mike Wilmott explained that because of the magnitude of the scheme the developers had submitted it partly as a full application and partly outline to avoid the huge expense of preparing complete plans only to meet a planning refusal.

He said Golf Club Investment Holdings plc had already spent many hundreds of thousands of pounds and was looking for confirmation from Kennet that the scheme could go forward.

Although it was not stated at the meeting, the report from officers to councillors also mentioned the possibility that the Deputy Prime Minister's office could decide to hold a public inquiry.

By a vote of 12-1 the committee agreed to defer a decision and delegate it to their officers.

Dr Kirkman said a satisfactory water supply was a major concern.

Noel Shuttleworth who lives in Savernake Forest said: "This is pure lunacy, this is not Florida."

Rob McClennan, a planning consultant representing some families in Durley, said road safety was a major issue.

John Thompson, of Great Bedwyn Parish Council, said a much fuller analysis of the project was needed before granting consent. He said the parish council wanted the final decision made by elected members and not delegated to officers.

Water companies had given assurances that supplies could be brought in without affecting the River Kennet catchment.

The developers' planning consultant Jonathan Kamm said; "We have been trying to find something that will work to bring this historic building back into use and give it a use that will work."

Lord Cardigan, who plans to lease Tottenham House and parkland to Golf Club Investment Holdings, said he had been working for 12 years to find an alternative use for the house.

Ideas considered included conversion into an old people's home. Robert Kilroy-Silk, the TV presenter, had considered a TV studio complex in the house and Andrew Lloyd- Webber had expressed interest in using the house for his huge art collection but talks, in both cases, petered out.

Lord Cardigan said: "This is the only scheme which makes sense."