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Housing association pulls out of purchasing site after it is found ‘viable for golf’
A housing association has pulled out of purchasing a Salford golf club site for development after it was found “viable” for the sport, in line with an agreement with the council.
Your Housing Group, which owns around 28,000 homes, had been exploring plans to build around 600 homes at the Swinton Park Golf Club site, with a minimum of 60% for affordable tenures.
It had offered a reported £10m for the site.
But Brian Cronin, chief executive of Your Housing, agreed following a meeting with councillors and local residents earlier this year that it would not progress the bid if it was found to be viable for golf.
Following a “golf viability study” commissioned by Salford City Council, Your Housing has confirmed it will honour its commitment and withdraw from the potential deal.
The Labour-run council wishes the site to remain a golf course, with city mayor Paul Dennett backing a campaign group opposing the sale of the club.
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Richard Jones, director of growth at Your Housing, said: “Our chief executive and I took the time to meet with members and residents to discuss our proposals and hear their views, at that time we made the commitment that Your Housing Group would not progress with our bid if golf was found to still be viable.
“Following the release of the findings of the golf viability study, Your Housing Group has decided against proceeding with the purchase of Swinton Golf Club.
“We will continue to seek ambitious opportunities to provide affordable housing and remain committed to investing in sustainable communities.”
Your Housing’s initial designs included up to 100 retirement living homes plus a nine-hole golf course and public facilities.
Mr Dennett said: “This is welcome news for local people and for the city, and I would like to also thank Your Housing Group for the action they have taken and I look forward to working closely with them on other projects in the city given the affordable housing challenge we have.
“Now that Your Housing Group has withdrawn from a purchase of the site and given that the club closed on 30 September, I would again now urge the owners of the golf course to look at the opportunity for the sale of the course to allow its continued operation as a golf course.”
Mr Dennett is also portfolio holder for housing at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
House builder Bellway previously had a bid accepted by the owners of the golf club, but the deal never went ahead.
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