Residents voice landfill fears over Hoylake golf resort plans

Jul 23 2008 by Laura Jones, Hoylake and West Kirby News

THE Open at Birkdale has returned the international spotlight to golf in Wirral.

Hoylake still basks in the glory of the Open championship 2006, which was praised as “one of the best we’ve ever staged” by organisers.

And once again, golf has got people in Hoylake talking - but this time it’s worries about the golf resort and possible landfill proposals that are being voiced.

Hoylake homeowners fear that a golf course would require a lot of landfill to make its foundations, and to raise the level of the low-lying land.

Others, more cynical, are asking if this is a way for Wirral Council to bring in a landfill site to the town.

A similar plan for the same site was rejected more than 25 years ago after a successful campaign against a landfill in Hoylake.

A public meeting at West Kirby Concourse earlier this month, which drew a crowd of more than 100, was held to share information about the golf plans and the site’s natural importance.

Its organiser, Susan Craggs, said she was aware that people were worried by the landfill rumour.

She said: “The important thing is that local people keep their eye on the Hoylake & West Kirby News and Wirral Council website - and they need to make their feelings about developments absolutely clear.

“It is up to us to remain alert.”

Speaking about the natural importance of the site, she said: “That land is a wildlife resource, and that is what it should be used for.

“For the last 200 years it has been used for farming and wildlife.”

A Wirral Council spokesman said: “The international golf resort opportunity will be taken to market later this year.

“The council has had no discussion so far as to how the golf course will be constructed and any suggestions as to how this will be achieved are simply rumour at this time.”