Final sign off for new housing estate and golf club scheme

A huge plan for a new housing estate and a revamped golf club in neighbouring Middleton has been given the final sign off.

North Manchester Golf Club has been given permission to bulldoze its current clubhouse, pro shop, function room and greenkeepers store.

The new clubhouse with ‘four attractive arches’ will be rebuilt closer to the first tee.

A reception, pro-shop, members’ bar and snooker room are to be created over three floors, alongside an event room with views overlooking the lake.

The vacant space left by the demolished clubhouse will be taken up by 56 new homes.

The 2.7 hectare site off Manchester Old Road would be a mix of three, four and five-bedroom homes with off-street parking and areas of open green space, according to joint developers Duchy Homes.

A larger scale version of the plan had been rejected by the planning committee in 2019 due to the impact on the green corridor where the golf course sits.

This time, objectors and ward councillors raised their concerns for the green space yet again.

Coun Peter Williams and Coun June West both voiced concerns with Rochdale Council’s planning committee for the wildlife living in the area and feared they would be harmed by this application.

Chair of North Manchester Golf Club, Nick O’Toole explained this project would retain the club’s 130-year legacy.

He explained that the current clubhouse is not fit for purpose and has fallen into disrepair.

Despite the objections, the scheme was approved by the planning committee in January this year. 

As part of the approval a legal agreement has now been confirmed.

This would see financial contributions from the developer of almost £420,000 to the local area. 

This money would be spent on increasing capacity for more students at both primary and secondary schools.

The ringfenced cash will also be given to the council to spend on local sports facilities.

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