Royal Birkdale will play host to the world’s top golfers when the Open Championship returns in 2026 and part of Birkdale Common could be converted to a practice ground. Andrew Brown reports
Part of Birkdale Common in Southport could be taken over to be used as a practice range for the world’s top golfers playing at The Open Golf Championship at Royal Birkdale.
The next tournament takes place next year (2026), with tournaments coming to Southport around every eight years.
R&A Championships has submitted a planning application to Sefton Council to utilise open land adjacent to the practice range at neighbouring Hillside Golf Club on Hastings Road in Birkdale for golf course use.
It would include the erection of new fencing and gates, the introduction of new landscaping, re-profiling works to create a practice tee, and the diversion of the existing Public Right of Way.
A Public Right of Way crosses the centre of the site connecting Hastings Drive with the wider coast. To the north of the site is Greenbank High School. Royal Birkdale Golf Club is located to the west, with Hillside Golf Club and homes located to the east.
A planning statement submitted by DLP Planning Liverpool on behalf of R&A said: “The proposed development comprises improvement works necessary to facilitate Royal Birkdale Golf Club hosting The 154th Open in 2026 and future Golf Championships held in the area.
“Since first hosting The Open in 1954, Royal Birkdale has been the most regular venue for the Championship other than St Andrews. The Open will return to Royal Birkdale for the 11th time in 2026, as it stages The 154th Open.
“Since Royal Birkdale last hosted The Open in 2017, the Championship has evolved. The nature of the game and the requirements for professional golfers has also changed significantly.
“Greater demands are now placed on course layout, practice facilities, experience, and infrastructure. There has also been a reduction in available land around the golf course to locate facilities needed to host The Open.
“After reviewing the available space to stage The Open at Royal Birkdale, it has been determined that a new location for practice facilities is required to maintain a safe, world-class, and competitive facility.
“The application site has been identified as the most suitable option for providing the world-class practice facilities required by extending the existing practice range at Hillside Golf Club.”
READ MORE: Billington Group grows profits in ‘challenging environment’
READ MORE: Grade II-listed building to be divided into three units
DLP Planning says that formal pre-application advice has been received from Sefton Council which states the proposed development is likely to comply with the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework and therefore be appropriate development in the Green Belt.
However, its adds that justification is needed on why the loss of an area of Birkdale Common is needed.