New Brighton mini-golf plans stay on course (From Wirral Globe)

New Brighton mini-golf plans stay on course

1:02pm Monday 1st October 2012 in News By Geoff Barnes

PLANS to create a miniature golf course at New Brighton, featuring replicas of some of the world’s most famous holes, have cleared a key hurdle.

Championship Miniature Golf Ltd has been given the green light to enter into a lease agreement with Wirral Council after successfully going through the local authority procurement process.

The company must now apply for planning permission for the proposed development which plans the creation of miniature caricatures of renowned championship golf holes from top courses such as St Andrews, Augusta and The Belfry.

The scheme would involve the scrapping of six tennis courts and the existing crazy golf complex at King’s Parade Recreation Ground. But the two bowling greens and nine-hole pitch and putt course will not be affected by the proposals.

Councillor Pat Hackett, Wirral Council cabinet member for regeneration and planning strategy said: “This is great news and a definite step in the right direction for New Brighton.

“According to the business plan for the resort this scheme, allied to the state-of-the-art children’s centre across the road, is expected to bring in at least 300,000 people to help towards the goal of reviving New Brighton fully.

“It will also bring back into use an area of land that is lying derelict and serving no purpose.”

Councillor Hackett said the aim was to have the golf course opened by next spring.

CMG has designed and built two similar courses to date. One is privately owned at a holiday park and the other is owned and operated by CMG at a golf driving range in Manchester.

The course will be open all year and cater for all age groups and abilities with pricing ranging between £3 and £6.50.

It falls in with the council’s strategy of providing enhanced recreation and leisure facilities in New Brighton.

The CMG venture was chosen ahead of a scheme to retain and upgrade the tennis courts and the creation of a seasonal ice rink for use during five months of the year.

The existing tennis courts have surface discolouration and line markings have faded; net post-winging mechanisms are corroded and inoperable and the posts are old and rusted with some leaning from the vertical. There is low demand for the courts and the gross annual income generated is around £800.

The crazy golf facility - built in the early 1970s, has deteriorated in condition and appearance over the years.

Wallasey councillor Leah Fraser said; “Until a few years ago I knew nothing about bowling, but after visiting clubs across Wallasey I came away astounded at how popular and well supported the sport is.

“It will be a huge relief to many that the two bowling greens will be staying.”