PEOPLE in South East Cornwall are set to benefit from more than half-a-million pounds worth of improvements thanks to a scheme that will rejuvenate the famous St Mellion golf course. The local economy, roads and health services are to get a £567,000 cash boost after Caradon District Council approved an outline plan for 265 golf homes to be built at the hotel and country club, near Saltash. The plan's approval is set to give the green light for the prestigious English Open golf tournament to be held at the site for five years from 2008. As part of the project, St Mellion owners Crown Golf will pay £200,000 for a local employment package that will include local recruitment, training and apprenticeship opportunities, and £150,000 for local health centre improvements. A further £100,000 will go towards improvements to the Carkeel roundabout near Saltash and £117,000 will go on another scheme of highway works including a pedestrian crossing across the A388 which runs through St Mellion village. As part of the scheme's approval the club will also have to source produce locally and make sure that the golf homes will not become a person's main residence. The redevelopment of the site would also include a rebuilt and extended hotel, refurbished clubhouse and new access and parking. Speaking at a special meeting of the Planning Control Committee East on Wednesday night, Caradon planning officer Peter Whitehead said the development would also help boost the local economy by bring extra visitors and jobs to the area. 'It (the English Open) will bring 40,000 spectators to the site over four days,' he said. 'It will bring increased play and television exposure will market South East Cornwall as a destination.' Matthew Linwood, director of Crown Golf, said the company wanted to make St Mellion one of the best courses in the world. 'We want to make St Mellion a world-class venue with world class facilities,' he said. 'We have been working closely with the European Tour and have arranged the English Open at the course for five years.' A group of people spoke against the plans including Brian Gardner of the Campaign to Protect Rural England. The council voted 13-3 in favour of the scheme and now Crown Golf will submit a further application to deal with other matters, including appearance and siting of the new buildings.