Liverpool City Council’s planning officer is recommending the go-ahead for a new golf course and boutique hotel at the site which would see the creation of 150 jobs. Tony McDonough reports

City planners are recommending approve a £15m investment into Allerton Manor to create a world class golf course and boutique hotel, creating 150 jobs.

Allerton Manor is owned by Liverpool City Council and operated by Green Circle, which says it will fund the transformation entirely from private investment. The council’s planning officer is recommending councillors approve the plans at committee on September 8. They include:

• Reconfiguring Allerton Manor’s existing 18 and 9-hole courses to create a much- improved par 72 Championship course with a new driving range and putting area.
• A purpose-built golf pavilion / club house comprising a new golf shop, changing and locker rooms, state of the art teaching facilities including indoor practice putting area and golf simulators.
• A new family-friendly adventure golf course.
• The restoration and conversion of the Grade II-listed, but seriously dilapidated and at risk, Allerton Manor house to create a 31-bed boutique hotel, spa and function space.

The planning officer’s report to committee commends the scheme to members as a “sustainable development… that would provide the identified economic, social and environmental benefits”.

It adds that it “would maintain public access to the course and deliver an array of quality sporting / recreational enhancements to provide wider appeal for golfers, young people, families and disabled people”.

At the core of the project at Allerton Manor are the plans to improve and diversify the golf offer and encourage wider participation in the sport by all age groups and standards of golfers.

Green Circle managing director, Yvonne Jackson, said: Liverpool City Council and Green Circle have created a pioneering partnership that has enabled us to deliver private sector investment and commercial expertise to transform a valued public asset whilst ensuring the principle of affordable golf for all.

“These plans are the culmination of a five- year investment programme and will realise our vision to provide first class public golf facilities, expand opportunities for participation and restore the heritage and fabric of this historic site.”

Green Circle’s director of golf Bryan Joelson-Mulhall, added: “The existing offer at Allerton has comprised a short 18-hole course and an under-utilised nine-hole par 3 course.

“Golf is a dynamic game and our PGA golf architects, International Design Group are proposing to reconfigure the offer to respond to how technology and equipment have changed the game, but also provide different opportunities for participation, learning and family enjoyment.”