Call for luxury golf hotel a tee shot away from Royal Birkdale

Call for luxury golf hotel a tee shot away from Royal Birkdale

A semi-derelict site close to the venue of this year’s Open could be turned into a luxury golf hotel after a campaigner local councillor suggested the scheme.

Cllr David Barton has been in discussions with property consultants Fisher German, which holds the freehold to the land, and Sefton Council about the future of the former deaf school on Lancaster Road, Birkdale.

Cllr Barton, who represents Dukes Ward, said the site would accommodate a fantastic practice ground as well as ample parking space for golf fans as well as golfers and their entourages the next time The Open comes to Southport.

He called on potential investors to contact Fisher German as it searched for a developer to make the idea a reality.

This year’s tournament presently is being held at Royal Birkdale this July and Cllr Barton said he had already obtained positive feedback from Sefton Council’s planning department that the proposal for the site, in Birkdale Park Conservation Area, “would not be incompatible with wider aspirations for the site”.

He said: “Not only would this be a proud and elegant utilisation of the building and land, but this could help fill the void of five star accommodation being provided in Southport and Sefton as a whole.

“It would ensure further investment into the Southport economy through additional visitor stays during international class events such as The Open, increasing visitor spend in the local are.

“It would also guarantee a sensitive and maintained restoration of the premises, providing certainty for local residents proud of this local landmark.”

Cllr Barton said any work on the land would be minimal compared to previous plans for housing put forward and would therefore benefit both local residents and allow swifter reutilisation of the  site.

He said: “It would prove Sefton Council’s commitment to working with property owners It is essential that any such development must commence as soon as possible to not only minimise overall cost to restoring the building, but also to get the best return on investment for the property owners and community.

“It would be an excellent showcase of fine architecture, utilising landscape already available and building on local civic heritage, which may encourage other such schemes across the borough.”