Wain Estates, which bought Swinton Park Golf Club in 2021, has launched a public consultation on plans to transform the site into around 700 family homes, including affordable properties, along with public open space, play areas, and sports facilities. The former club, closed since 2020, has been described as an 'overgrown and derelict' eyesore attracting trespassers and anti-social behaviour.
Consultation launched
The consultation, which began on Friday evening, August 14, is not a planning application but an invitation for locals to 'have their say' on the developing plans. The rough sketch also includes a small neighbourhood centre with a community building, supermarket, care facility, and a 'mobility hub' to encourage active transport.
This comes after a previous proposal in 2024 to build 1,200 homes on the land was criticised as 'ludicrous' by local campaigners.
Site history and concerns
The land has remained unused since the club closed, despite a 'bitter fight' by the Save Swinton Golf Club campaign group, backed by City Mayor Paul Dennett at the time. The club was issued 'community asset' status in 2019, but this lapsed in 2024.
Wain Estates says that despite fencing, onsite security, and CCTV, 'trespassing is common and there has been antisocial behaviour take place on site; the presence of potential hazards such as unoccupied buildings makes it unsuitable and unsafe for public access at present'.
Next steps and opposition
The landowners plan to submit an outline planning application before the end of this year. If approved by Salford Council's planning department, they plan to sell the site to a developer.
Councillor Jim Cammell has opposed the golf club's inclusion in the Salford Local Plan, stating: "The fact that homes 'could' be built on a site does not mean that the site needs to be allocated for housing. The Council has already identified more than enough housing land to meet its requirement. I believe [the golf club] should therefore remain outside the housing allocations." He has also written to Wain Estates demanding a public meeting for the consultation.
In their proposal, Wain Estates wrote: "We want to work with the local communities, key stakeholders and the Council to ensure Swinton Park delivers for both current and future generations. This is an opportunity to design an exemplar scheme that creates a lasting legacy for the City and its residents. Exceptionally well located, Swinton Park has the potential to become a place we can all be proud of and we can't wait to bring it to life. We'd really like to know what the local community wants to see as part of the redevelopment."
