Wirral starts golf resort developer search

WIRRAL Council has started its search for a development partner to help it create an international golf resort at Hoylake.

It wants a top-of-the-range resort on 285 acres of farmland close to the Royal Liverpool links. The plan was first mooted in 2008 but it was shelved following the global financial crisis.

The council owns about 160 acres of the land it has earmarked, but the area is classified as green belt.

It wants to find a partner to help deliver the course along with a luxury hotel and conference venue and has appointed an advisory team led by AECOM with project manager IPW… and property agent DTZ’s hospitality arm.

Council leader Phil Davies said: “The launch of the procurement process is an incredibly exciting step for Wirral and its future as a landmark destination for golf tourism. The commencement of this stage means we can move from expressions of interest to confirmation of concrete, firm bids and the appointment of a preferred developer.  

“It is a complicated process and we are working to a tight schedule but I hope to be able to announce our chosen partner when Wirral hosts The Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club next July.

“As a council, we are confident that with a suitable development partner in place we can deliver a top class golf resort that will build on the confidence generated by hosting such prestigious championships as The Open, The Ricoh Women’s British Open as well as Hoylake’s unique golfing pedigree.”