CONSERVATIONISTS have launched a campaign to bunker plans for a golf driving range near the Strawberry Field, Lyme Regis. After plans to build a sports complex at the Strawberry Field were relegated, the Friends of the AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) have determined to stop the 100ft long, 15.5ft high timber structure going up that Lyme Regis Golf Club is proposing be built in the neighbouring field. Led by Uplyme resident John Wood, the group has set up a website and is urging its more than 120 members to send their objections to the district council. Mr Wood said: "Although this applica tion is on a smaller scale than Strawberry Field, it should not be viewed in isolation from other threaten ing developments." The group is also calling for Lyme Regis town councillors Owen Lovell and Ken Meech, the chairman and vice- chairman of the district council's plan ning committee, to be excluded from any decision on the application. Mr Wood said: "It could be argued that a positive outcome would pave the way for an easier ride for any future Strawberry Field application. "A scenario that the two district coun cillors would find difficult to erase from consciousness when speaking and vot ing on the driving range." Lyme Regis golf club plans to build in a field north of the town council-owned Strawberry Field, in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Planning approval was granted in 1993 to change the use of the field from agri cultural to a golf practice area, but Mr Wood said installing a commercial driv ing range was "an entirely different ket tle of fish." Fellow objector David Sole from Uplyme, said the proposed development would inevitably damage the Harcombe Valley. He said: "The golf club intends to open it to the public, and the number of car movements throughout the year could, therefore, be expected to increase considerably, introducing an urban element into this unspoilt rural landscape." Mr Sole said the golf club had offered a site on the practice ground for a 60ft TETRA mast and although no planning application had been submitted "it could be expected to follow immediate ly if the driving range were allowed." He said Lyme Regis Town Council could also be expected to develop the nearby Strawberry Field to justify spending over £50,000 of ratepayers' money on it. "It would get much encouragement from a 100ft-long building just next door!" he said. Lyme Regis golf club has declined to comment. Plans for the driving range can be seen at Lyme Regis Town Council offices or online at www.westdorset-dc.gov.uk