Message from the group campaigning against Prenton Golf Club's plans to build houses on the Green Belt:
"The consultation at Prenton Golf Club (Golf Links Rd) includes Pegasus (the Agents) is planned for Thursday 9th May between 4pm and 7pm.
We are encouraging residents to attend at 5pm such that we arrive on mass and show our strong objections to building on the green belt, ancient woodlands and established ponds."
A planning application has been submitted by Prenton Golf Club to demolish their existing club, build 22 executive houses on the site of the old club and part of the Green Belt and build a new club and carpark in a new location on the Green Belt."
In their planning statement they say “Over recent years the Golf Club has not had enough funding for the upkeep of the course / clubhouse”
They say “Appropriate facilities for outdoor sport are considered to be acceptable development in the Green Belt. Housing is inappropriate and needs to be justified by reference to very special circumstances. In the instance of this development, the golf clubhouse is essential for the sustainable future of the golf club and directly related to outdoor sport.
It meets the policy of “appropriate facilities for outdoor sport” and can be considered acceptable from a Green Belt policy perspective. The proposed development needs to be considered as a comprehensive scheme. The new golf facilities for outdoor sport are supported by the proposed housing.”
The design of the new club house is said to “make it more attractive for functions” such as weddings etc. – which, correct us if we are wrong, are NOT outdoor sports!
Yet another development chipping away at our precious green spaces, seeking to prop up a struggling business by building executive homes and new function venue on the Green Belt and “justifying” it by linking it to “appropriate facilities for outdoor sports”.
This is remarkably similar to the Councils' plans for the Hoylake Golf Resort, (although obviously not on the same scale) i.e. using sport to justify building houses on the Green Belt. Where will be next?
Don't forget to get your objections in to the Council by Friday 10th May. You can object by clicking on the link below.
A sample objection letter is also included below which you can edit / modify/ use as you see fit. (Please do not simply copy the letter as it won't count)
"I am writing in relation to the above-mentioned planning application no. APP/19/00501. I have reviewed the proposed development plans and I wish to register my objection.
The reason for my objections are outlined below:
1. The proposed development constitutes inappropriate development on designated greenbelt land and will be harmful to the character and setting of the Mountwood Conservation Area. It also proposes devastation of ancient woodlands and established ponds and the precious habitat.
2. It infringes the local planning policies National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Wirral Unitary Development Plan (UDP) in terms of, scale, density, design and impact to the green belt land and environment.
3. It does not demonstrate ‘an effective use of land in meeting the need for homes and other uses while safeguarding and improving the environment and ensuring safe and healthy living conditions. In addition, it fails to provide or demonstrate ‘very special circumstances’ required for approval.
4. It does not consider wildlife in the area which may include potential breeding of great crested newts, roosting bats and other protected species. There are no 'very special circumstances' that can justify the gross negative impact from the proposals, on the area or its assets.
5. The new clubhouse plus peripheral buildings and associated parking are located in very close proximity to existing residential properties which form part of Mountwood Conservation Area. Therefore, the proposal does not meet the council requirements based on separation distances and accordingly the development will directly impact on the privacy of neighbouring properties.
6. The proposed new residential area of 22 dwellings would directly and negatively impact on the current established residential area with loss of privacy and visual amenity due to the overbearing and domineering nature of the development. The proposed housing density is completely out of keeping with the existing properties, virtually doubling the number of residential properties in the immediate area. It would pose a direct detrimental impact on the Mountwood Conservation area.
7. Unacceptable noise pollution from the planned clubhouse location and outdoor social area to include an outside fire pit and terrace facilities. Objection to proposed licensed function rooms until 02:00 over the weekend. This contravenes the NPPF, NPSE 2010 & PPG 2014 that states that planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment.
8. Light pollution through the proposed location of the 128 parking spaces at the rear of Stanley Avenue with the related floodlighting and additional lighting surrounding the new clubhouse: These proposals do not meet the interest of residential amenity having regards to policy HS15 of the Wirral Unitary Development Plan.
9. The new Clubhouse facility is planned to be built upon ancient woodlands and an established pond that has operated as natural drainage via several advantageously positioned ditches for many years. This natural ground system has been able to deal with the water from the natural sand ridge above. Removing this landscape will increase the potential of water saturation and possible localised flooding. This phenomenon is already evident in this area and will inevitably be made much worse with this proposed car park and clubhouse development.
Can you, therefore please register my objection to this proposed Prenton Golf Club development.
Yours faithfully"
https://planning.wirral.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=_WIRRA_DCAPR_106093&fbclid=IwAR3XiiFXLfgmyRj_x91mmOKxzSq0CW03DzluSZv5peqPvIOLS-oYhrU8Z1s