Wain Estates, which has owned the former Swinton Park Golf Club land since 2021, wants to build 700 new homes on the site, with around half of the grounds becoming publicly accessible green space and sports facilities. The plans have divided local residents, with some calling the development a 'huge mistake' and others welcoming the potential for new housing and amenities.
Residents voice concerns over traffic and infrastructure
Local grandmother Olwin, 77, who regularly walks her dog Derry around the club's perimeter, said: "It's going to be hell. It's just madness dumping a huge estate where there is no support for anything like that. The road it opens onto is already bumper-to-bumper for several hours morning and night. Our schools are overflowing. You can't get in to see the doctors. You can't get NHS dentists. It's just a bad idea all around."
Traffic is a particular concern for the area, with East Lancs, Folly Lane, and Lancaster Road described as 'notorious' for standstill traffic during rush hour. The development's access points will be from East Lancs via a traffic-controlled junction and an emergency route on Cliftonville Drive.
Mike Hartney, 65, who has lived in the Swinton Park area for 34 years, said: "Everywhere is oversubscribed already. It'll only get worse." He added that he's been struggling to get on a GP practice patient list during a period of ill health that's left him unable to work.
Campaigners vow to fight the development
Denis Tracey, 77, who used to occasionally play at the club, said: "It's a very sorry thing that we lost it. It wasn't just about the golf. It was a venue for parties. They spent a fortune on the club house and now it's virtually derelict. I don't think we can stop the development, though. It's eventually going to happen whether we want it to or not."
The golf club was sold off to developers by the last owners despite a report finding its business model was 'still viable' and extensive campaigning by activists and Salford mayor Paul Dennett. Save Swinton Park Golf Club remains an active campaign group opposing the development.
Dave Marsh, who was a golfing member for more than 30 years and one of the campaigners, said the grounds had remained closed off to the public all through the Covid-19 pandemic despite appeals from the local community. "It never should have closed as a golf club. We will fight it until our last breath to stop them," he said.
Some locals welcome the housing plans
Not everyone is opposed to the development. Sam Hope, 41, a research director, compared the idea to the Bellway development known as 'The Bracken' on a former sewage works plant next to the golf course, whose 241 homes were approved in 2018. "I think it would be great to have a good place for first time buyers, but also some more aspirational houses," she said. "There's a lot of people in Monton and Swinton that can't afford a three-bedroom semi for their family because it's way too expensive because they're all old, original feature houses. If they do what they've done here, I'm all for it."
Sam's only concern was traffic. "Another 700 homes is going to make the area even more congested and I don't think we have the right infrastructure. East Lancs is one of the worst roads in the north west. And Folly Lane is always backed up."
Bill Rogers, 80, a retired surveyor, welcomed the development if done thoughtfully. "Something does need to be done. I like open spaces. We walk past that on a regular basis and it's just been left to go wild. People are getting on it and charging about on motorbikes. If the development is done thoughtfully and they leave plenty of open space and landscape it, then I haven't got a problem with it."
His companion Susan Hurst, 72, a retired telephonist, worried about infrastructure. "You have to think, most households have two cars these days so that could be 1,400 more cars." Bill added: "700 does seem like an awful lot of houses. I don't like to see an eyesore and something like that can quickly become overgrown. But maybe less houses like 200 or 300 would be better."
Developer responds to criticism
People in Salford have been asked to have their say on the plans, which have been published online and posted through people's letterboxes. Responding to some of the critiques, Neil Lewis, planning director at Wain Estates, said the firm is 'keen to hear views' and 'understand what local people want'.
Lewis said: "Our proposals look to bring historically private land back into use, creating a new place with a range of benefits for the wider community. This would include new sports facilities, walking and cycling routes, alongside a range of new homes of different sizes and tenures. The proposals would provide opportunities for families looking for a new home, younger people looking to access their first home and older residents wishing to remain close to family and established support networks. We envisage a green and welcoming development and overall, more than half of the site is proposed to remain as publicly accessible open space for recreation and enjoyment."
Plans currently also include communal sports pitches, a 'community hub', and space for a grocery shop.
