SALFORD MAYOR CALLS FOR CLARIFICATION OF INTENTIONS FOR SWINTON PARK GOLF CLUB AFTER IT WAS BOUGHT BY A PROPERTY DEVELOPER

Property developers Himor Group (thought to be a subsidiary of Wain Homes) have made a successful purchase of Swinton Park Golf Club for an undisclosed sum, despite a huge campaign to keep it open after it saw permanent closure in September 2020 and subsequently offered for sale just two months later in November of the same year.

The Historic 95-year-old club was the focus of a huge campaign to keep it open and subjected to a jointly commissioned audit carried out upon it which determined it to have continued viability as a profitable business and the demand for the facilities in the area.

The 'Save Swinton Park Golf Club' campaign group put in an offer to purchase the club for its market price as a Golf Club which amount's to £1.5m but this was turned down by the owners.

As a result of the findings of the audit, another interested company walked away from purchasing the land.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett quickly issued the company with an open letter, reminding them that the site is not listed in Salford City Council's development Plan and is considered to be an 'Asset of Community Value' and a 'Dedicated Recreational Area' within the city.

He called for the company to declare its intentions for the club and the site.

City Mayor, Paul Dennett, said:

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"You will no doubt be aware that the land is subject to local protections - it is listed as an Asset of Community Value - and I believe your purchase of the club is likely to to have been guided by your desire to avoid triggering the Asset of Community Value process.

"You'll be aware from my previous correspondence of the community proposal to buy the club for £1.5m (In line with the sites value as a Golf Club', which had already been prepared and would have been ready to be committed by the community in event of any such attempts to sell the club's land

"As I noted to you in my previous correspondence, the land owned by the club which you have purchased is not designated for residential use in the Local Plan."

 

The Mayor went on to say:

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"You should be aware that the Local Plan designation has been consulted on extensively with the local residents, with significant local support for the site's continuing as a Golf Course - and I highly doubt the results of future consultations, if consulted honestly and openly, will return anything other than a reaffirmation of support.

"Consequently I would be very keen to receive plans of your intended consultation with residents."

 

The developers intentions for the club and the land are unclear but the Mayor has asked for further clarification from them.

In a response to the Manchester Evening News, Himor have said that they are committed to consulting with local residents, through the appropriate processes, to explore potential uses which best meet local needs.

Having witnessed the backlash against the clubs closure and the sale of the land first hand on our social media groups, we wish them the best of luck in changing the minds of the residents in the area and the wider public in Salford. They will definitely need it.