Knowsley Council has received new ambitious plans for the transformation of Kirkby golf course. The proposal, submitted by L32 Trading Limited (LTL), who also manage Allerton Manor golf club, includes a new clubhouse, a driving range and a 9-hole golf course.
Founded in 1928, Kirkby golf course is an 18-hole course bisected by the River Alt. Although located within Knowsley, the land is owned by Liverpool City Council who leased the course to LTL on a 150-year lease in 2019.
Over the years, the Kirkby site has seen various proposals including a £20m 'masterplan'. Concerns were raised about the use of greenbelt land and local transport infrastructure plans, which have now been addressed in the new planning application.
A planning committee will assess the new proposals for the Kirkby site on Thursday October 9. Four rounds of consultation with local residents resulted in nine objections, including a petition with four signatures.
Meanwhile, there were three neutral comments and five supportive ones, including a petition with 560 signatures, .
One of the objections to the proposed development was its location on green belt land. However, under the National Planning Policy Framework, such applications can be approved if they maintain the 'openness' of a site.
LTL provided assurances that their entire proposal would be considered 'appropriate facilities for outdoor sport and recreation'. Despite this, the council's report highlighted: "Consequently, the proposed development, when taken as a whole, would inevitably have greater impact on the openness of the Green Belt than the existing development within the site. The development is therefore inappropriate development within the Green Belt."
LTL has ambitious plans to completely overhaul the golf course, revamping current amenities and introducing new features including a driving range, a practice putting green, an adventure space, and a fresh 9-hole par 3 golf course across 52 acres of unused land next to the current site.
Additionally, there are proposals for a modern two-storey clubhouse with a bar, restaurant, and function area, alongside an initiative to transform the existing clubhouse into a golf training academy complete with accommodation for visiting golf professionals.
There are high hopes that a proposed scheme could significantly benefit the local economy, with LTL projecting the creation of 65 jobs throughout its construction phase and an additional 93 jobs in operations. Moreover, LTL has pledged to deliver broad 'community benefits' aimed at offering opportunities to local schools and disadvantaged groups.
The scheme features 35 annual hours of provided tuition, as well as four paid scholarships for select schools. The council's planning report highlighted the ambition behind the project, asserting: "The aim of the proposals, as stated within the Planning Statement is to turn a currently an ailing, not fit for purpose, unsafe, unattractive, unviable facility into a fit-for-purpose golf destination."
Further acknowledgement came when the report declared: "The benefits of the scheme are considered to be significant."
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