LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Topgolf's debut in Louisville is one step closer. The sports entertainment company received a wrecking permit for the old Sears department store building and a portion of the Oxmoor Center mall building. The permit is for 160,000 square feet.

The development has been a controversial one as a group of Hurstbourne residents opposed the development. 

In January, the attorney who represented the residents confirmed his clients did not ask the Supreme Court to review the case. Before that, the Kentucky Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court ruling by a Jefferson Circuit Court judge that favored a deal by the Louisville Metro Council and the Louisville Planning Commission to approve the project in 2018.

In its unanimous decision, the Kentucky Court of Appeals upheld that Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Ann Bailey Smith was correct in turning back an appeal brought by a group of Hurstbourne neighbors.

Residents were challenging the actions of the Louisville/Jefferson County Planning Commission and the Louisville Metro Council, saying the proposed complex was too close to the neighborhood and that lights and noise would cause problems.

A spokesperson for Topgolf said the lights they plan to install will emit less light than the lights currently being used in the Oxmoor Mall parking lot.

Judges wrote that the opposing neighbors received their due process and "can point to nothing in the proceedings that indicates otherwise."

Topgolf previously said it is "looking forward to partnering with city officials and Oxmoor Center to bring a safe and entertaining experience to all.”

At Topgolf, guests go to hitting bays, where they score points by hitting micro-chipped golf balls at giant dartboard-like targets on an outfield. The venue also provides food, drink, event spaces, music and more.