Former world number one golfer backed bid to save club from holiday park plans

Former world number one golfer Ian Woosnam was backing a bid to buy a Shropshire golf course that is under threat from plans to build almost 100 log cabins, documents submitted to the council have claimed.

The plans follow a similar application for 120 caravans which was rejected by Shropshire Council following opposition.

Coppergreen Leisure Resorts and club owner Ralph Tomley have now applied for permission to reduce Henlle Park Golf Club in Gobowen from 18 to nine holes, to accommodate a new 90-pitch holiday park.

It has now been claimed that the club’s owner turned down a bid in excess of the asking price which would have spared the golf course from being developed.

A letter published on Shropshire Council’s website to planners from Chinese Entrepreneurs Golf Club Ltd says the firm had been involved in a bid to buy the golf club, along with Ian Woosnam, who hails from St Martins, and ex professional Tony Minshall.

The club has been contacted for comment.

The planning application will be decided in due course by Shropshire Council.