Golfers still have a fair way to go...

Beal Valley update: not much change in five years

DEVELOPERS have been given more time to build Beal Valley golf course - despite the plans dating back to 1994.

After two decades and millions of pounds, golfers will have to wait three more years as councillors agreed to delay its completion until January 2018.

Developers Casey Group applied for an extra five years but at a planning committee meeting this week, Councillor Joy Wrigglesworth suggested they only be given three, to encourage completion.

Five years ago the same changes were made to extend the completion date to last week, but significant work on the site has still to start. Work to restore the site, including layout, seeding, planting and landscaping of the golf course to a playable standard, was supposed to have happened by Tuesday - but so far only parts of the landscaping process are complete.

The land, between Cop Road, Bullcote Lane and Ripponden Road, remains a grassy open space.

Councillor Steve Bashforth said: “We certainly need to send them a message and the least we can do is give them three years instead of five.”