A new report has found that the former Swinton Park Golf Club could viably be restored to its former glory as golfing grounds, bringing hope to campaigners trying to save the beloved site.
The golf club has been at the centre of a passionate campaign by Swinton locals to stop the land being turned into a major housing development after the site was controversially sold in 2017. Wain Estates, who own the land, are currently preparing a planning application to build 700 new homes on the golf course, which has been fenced off to the public since its shock closure.
Report finds golf use financially viable
But a new viability report created by surveyor Mark Anthony Smith on behalf of the council has found ‘reopening Swinton Park for golf use is financially viable’ and there is local demand for the sport. Campaigners believe the document could be ‘vital’ in successfully opposing a planning application.
David Marsh, one of the figureheads of the Save Swinton Golf Club campaign, explained: “The land use was originally agreed as for golf. So developers will try and get around that by claiming there’s no need for golf here anymore. But it’s clear there definitely is. This could give us a legal backing to oppose the plans.
“It’s a really important place. There was always the social side of Swinton Park Golf Club – the bingo and quiz nights, going down to the clubhouse for a drink, the events space. But the most important side for us is the golf.”
Investment and land costs estimated
The report, carried out under Mr Smith’s firm Smith Leisure, a specialist in golf property, suggested the golf club could be restored to its prior state with an investment of around between £1.5 and £2.5 million without the cost of buying the land. This would include bringing the 18-hole course back up to speed, and knocking down the now derelict club house and replacing it with a small, temporary structure for now.
The cost of the land for future golf use would be around £750,000 to £1 million, by Mr Smith’s estimation, due to the lack of maintenance of the land in the intervening years since its sale for £900,000 in 2017.
Community and political opposition
More than 200 people attended a public meeting by the campaign group in September to discuss how to save the land from development. The meeting was also attended by local politicians including MP Rebecca Long-Bailey, City Mayor Paul Dennett, and local councillor Jim Cammell.
In a letter sent to Wain Estates following the receipt of the viability report, the three politicians said: “We recognise the importance of delivering genuinely affordable housing and the principle of making appropriate use of previously developed land. However, we have serious concerns about the proposed development of this particular site and do not support the proposal in its current form.
“At a meeting on September 15, attendees voted unanimously both to oppose residential development on the site and to support the reopening of Swinton Park as a golf course.
“That is a clear message from the local community and one which we believe should be properly reflected in your consideration of the site’s future.”
In their online consultation on the plans, Wain Estates claimed their own independent viability assessment into golf needs for the area found there was ‘no significant demand’. However, their own viability report has not been shared online, or with Mark Smith or council members, according to the Smith Leisure report.
Wain Estates was approached for comment.
