Residents criticise golf course expansion plans

Royal Birkdale last hosted The Open Championship in 2017

More than 1,100 people have signed a petition opposing plans to build a new practice area at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport ahead of next year's Open Championship.

A Sefton Council report said the plans would change "part of the open land linked to what is commonly known as Birkdale Common to golf course use".

Opponents said they wanted to guarantee public access to the common, except during major tournaments.

Sefton Council confirmed it had also received 89 letters objecting to the proposals on ecological, road safety and aesthetic grounds.

The 18th hole at Royal Birkdale

The planning application was submitted by R&A Championships Limited which organises 21 tournaments – including next year's Open.

Constructing a new practice tee would involve landscaping work, erecting fences and the diversion of a public right of way track.

The report from Labour-run Sefton Council stated the development "complies with local and national policies and is recommended for approval".

However, the residents' petition highlighted that Birkdale Common was "a well-used public park", and stressed the need for public access to be maintained.

'Fair and transparent'

Sefton's Liberal Democrats called the plans "controversial", with the planning process "limiting opportunities for discussion".

Opposition leader John Pugh said: "We certainly don't know why the promoters of the British Open Championship are insisting on a practice ground in Southport appreciably longer than the one provided for the Open at Portrush this year.

"It is difficult to understand why the practice tee at Royal Birkdale isn't good enough and only suitable for hospitality tents. Consultation dates and details have changed and the fencing is a real issue."

Sefton Council's planning committee chairman Tom Spring insisted the planning process had been "completely fair and transparent."