CAMPAIGNERS have stepped up calls for the planned Hoylake golf resort and an associated by-pass to be scrapped before any more tax-payers' money is spent on it.

The proposed complex would be built on Hoylake's Municipal Golf Course and is a central part of the "Golf Coast" project created by the Jack Nicklaus Joint Venture Group.

The scheme will see an 18-hole championship course - designed by American golf legend Jack Nicklaus - a luxury five-star Marriott hotel with health club and spa, new clubhouse and training academy.

Up to 150 luxury homes would be built around the perimeter. There also plans for a link road.

The Stop Hoylake Golf Resort Action Group has accused the council of carrying out a weak consultation exercise and raised concerns over what it calls the 'dubious' track record of the resort's preferred developer.

In a statement the group called on the public to back its campaign to scrap the resort plan.

It said: "There are so many issues and commercial risks associated with this resort; it is our firm belief that the many negative impacts massively out way any 'perceived' benefits.

"The preferred developer has a dubious track record. Their previous 'Nicklaus' resort development never delivered the promised Hilton Hotel and their housing construction company went into liquidation, leaving local businesses out of pocket.

"We are against development on Green Belt Land, which is totally against current planning policy. Building on a flood plain will increase Flood Risk in the Birket Valley.

"We are also concerned about the environmental Damage to biodiverse farmland which is home to a wide variety of species, many of them nationally and internationally protected.

"Previous consultants' reports have stated that the resort is not viable, without the enabling development of 200 luxury houses.

"The council have carried out only a weak public consultation exercise and the majority of the local community are against the resort.

"Already costs are spiralling, there is no detailed financial business plan and no cost and benefit analysis has been undertaken."

Their concerns are backed by ward councillor Gerry Ellis, who was previously was in favour.

He said the loss of green belt, the town being unable to cope with increased traffic and 'vague' ideas of an economic boost convinced him to change his mind.

He told the Globe: "I'm trying to get the golf resort plan cooled off before any more money is wasted on it.

"It shouldn't be allowed to go ahead.

"As a Hoylake councillor, I was in favour of the golf resort when it was first unveiled, but my view on the proposal has now changed.

"I have become increasingly concerned about the difficulties that the scheme will face and I have now come to a conclusion that it will not succeed in the foreseeable future and it should be dropped before any more of council tax-payers money is spent on it.

"Also I'm not happy with vague suggestions that the resort will provide a boost for Hoylake's economy.

"The bypass is just a nonsense title for what will basically be a link road."

In response, Wirral Council leader Cllr Phil Davies told the Globe: "The Hoylake Golf Resort will be a flagship, transformative development which will create hundreds of jobs for local people.

"We are talking about a globally-significant tourism and leisure attraction, which will attract thousands of visitors to our borough every year.

"Developments of this scale are never straightforward. This is why it's so important the due diligence is completed, and we fully investigate every aspect of the plans. That is exactly what we are doing.

"To immediately oppose the development, to oppose the potential for hundreds of jobs, hundreds of millions in tourism revenue and the opportunity to create a truly world-class destination in our borough, is extremely short sighted.

"We are very confident that this development will deliver on all that was promised, and more.

"We continue to work on the financial and environment impacts and issues, and we pledge to continue to talk to every resident in the area to make sure their concerns are listened to and they are able to benefit from a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a fantastic new development."

The Jack Nicklaus Joint Venture Group includes representatives from Celtic Manor resort and an executive housebuilder.

The council said it has received financial plans for the development, which are currently being reviewed and assessed, adding that the outcome of that assessment will be reported to cabinet in the coming months.

A council spokesman added: "We are aware this would constitute Green Belt development and, entirely in line with current policy, the development would need to demonstrate 'special circumstances’ in order to receive planning permission. This will be a decision for the planning committee.

"All environmental issues raised to date have been raised with the developer and will be fully addressed in the planning application.

"The full suite of documents explaining the application will be made public and subject to consultation."

To sign the group's petition, visot the following link https://www.change.org/p/councillor-phil-davies-wirral-borough-council-say-no-to-a-golf-resort-and-housing-development-in-west-wirral-save-our-green-belt?source_location=minibar