New Wirral Golf Resort could be ready for the Open’s return

Despite the project's early stages, Wirral council have expressed hope that a new golfing resort in the Wirral could be set for use when the Open returns to the borough.

The ambitious planned proposal for the resort is set to feature a five star hotel and spa, conference facilities and a new “signature” golf course. The project has been led by the Wirral council, who hope to develop the new site in a 300-acre area in Hoylake, which the council already own. Current plans also would incorporate the current Hoylake Municipal Golf course as a potential practice area, and a new municipal would be part of the planned developments.

In 2012 the Wirral council re-launched its proposals for the golf resort, seeking a developer for the project, but it was only in 2015 that prestigious golfer Jack Nicklaus was appointed as the council's preferred developer. The project is still currently in the early planning stages and has been considering a recently held public consultation in order to move forward.

David Ball, the council's head of regeneration, said the resort would offer 175 new jobs and would still allow parking for 6,000 cars near the Royal Liverpool Golf Club, for when the Open returns. Whilst it is still not set in stone when the Open will return, current estimates suggest it could be 2021. This is an ambitious timescale for the project, which is expecting to file a planning application in 2017.

Before it’s speculative deadline of 2021, the golf course has a number of hurdles to overcome, not least the current issues around access, environmental issues and the course design, which still need to be considered. These are issues that the council are keen to overcome however, and if the plans are greenlit next year, then work could start soon after.

Early plans for the course are estimated to cost around £70 million, but these are largely speculative at this stage. The project is in the very early stages currently, but it will certainly be exciting to follow this development and see if the course is ready the next time the Open returns to the borough.