Residents in the 8th district of Sanchang, Hwacheon County, are increasingly opposing the construction of a golf driving range that has progressed to the construction phase under the 8th elected administration.
While residents are not against the establishment of a golf driving range itself, they are demanding a relocation from the current site. However, Hwacheon County plans to continue the project, considering the already completed procedures and seeking to persuade residents.
Recently, residents have displayed banners opposing the construction of the golf driving range around the village.
Their concerns include the impact on views, noise, and parking issues.
Oh Jong-soo, the head of Sanchang 8th district, stated, "It is not that we are against building a golf driving range; we are asking for it to be moved to a location that minimizes harm to residents."
Residents argue that the construction of a tall facility would obstruct the views of nearby homes and businesses, and increase noise from golf balls being struck, as well as exacerbate parking difficulties due to increased traffic.
There are also concerns regarding whether sufficient resident feedback was gathered during the project planning process.
Oh claimed, "The county says they held a resident briefing in the past, but neither I, as the former head, nor the residents were properly informed about the golf driving range plans."
He has requested information from Hwacheon County to verify the date and location of the briefing.
Former Hwacheon County Council Chair Ryu Hee-sang also expressed that communication with residents was insufficient during the initial stages of the project.
Ryu stated, "There should have been adequate explanations or public hearings targeting local residents during the site selection and planning process. The conflict has intensified as residents learned about the project too late."
This golf driving range project was not initiated by the current 9th elected administration.
It was decided during the 8th elected administration led by former County Mayor Choi Moon-soon, with budget allocation and site acquisition already underway. As the project moved into the construction phase, resident opposition intensified, becoming a contentious issue during local elections.
During his campaign, County Mayor Kim Se-hoon expressed a negative stance on building the driving range at the current site.
However, after taking office and reviewing the project's status, it became clear that funds had already been allocated and contracts signed, making it difficult to completely halt or relocate the project.
The 9th elected administration has inherited a project initiated by the 8th, leaving the challenge of addressing residents' relocation requests alongside the already established administrative procedures.
Hwacheon County is adjusting the project to minimize resident impact by reducing the scale, height, and practice distance of the facility compared to the original plan.
In August, a resident briefing was held at the Sanchang Township Office, attended by officials from the Cultural and Sports Department, to explain the project's progress and adjustments.
However, residents argue that merely reducing the facility's size will not adequately resolve issues related to views and noise, and they continue to demand a relocation.
Lee Sun-hee, vice chair of the Hwacheon County Council, stated that both resident concerns and the project's progress need to be considered.
Lee acknowledged, "It is entirely understandable that residents are worried about their views and other impacts," but added, "Given that the project is already significantly underway, canceling it could lead to various issues, so we need to consider minimizing harm by reducing the facility's scale while proceeding with the project."
Hwacheon County has stated it will not halt the project but will seek to persuade residents.
Nam Jae-seon, head of the Cultural and Sports Department, said, "We plan to visit opposing residents directly to explain the project and seek their understanding," adding, "We will listen to residents' opinions and strive to gain their understanding while moving forward with the project."
Regarding the possibility of halting the project, he stated, "We will not stop the project."
As the golf driving range project initiated under the 8th elected administration transitions to the 9th, attention is focused on how to reconcile residents' demands for relocation with Hwacheon County's commitment to proceed with the project.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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