New vision unveiled for £20m Kirkby Valley Golf Course makeover

Green Circle Leisure is hoping to start the remodelling of its par-72 course off Valley Road next spring, three years after the original renovation plans were submitted.

The leisure operator has submitted new proposals for Kirkby Valley Golf Course to Knowsley Council.

International Design Group and Brock Carmichael Architects designed the masterplan for the fresh £20m project, which intends to minimise the scheme’s impact on the 198-acre site’s Green Belt status.

Plans include the reconfiguration of the existing 18-hole championship course to allow the creation of a nine-hole academy course on currently unused land.

There would also be an 18-hole adventure golf course, as well as a two-tier driving range featuring simulation and teaching rooms.

Plans for the new clubhouse have been completely redesigned since the masterplan was originally submitted in 2021, in order to standardise the building’s design and improve its visual impact. The clubhouse would feature a golf shop, a bar and restaurant, and a first-floor function space.

John Cassell, partner at Brock Carmichael, said: “It was important that the design and materials of the buildings fitted in with the wider masterplan, and complimented the natural landscape and visual character of the course.”

Andrew Craven, owner of IDG, added: “Overall, this is a much-improved scheme, delivering a fantastic golf-for-all offer whilst safeguarding Kirkby Valley’s landscape and environmental value.”

This revised application also omits the previously proposed tennis courts, five-a-side pitches, and bowling green facilities.

David Goscombe, director at Green Circle, explained that the company decided to focus on the golf offering in order to realise the “unique potential” of the site to create the best possible destination for the sport.

“Kirkby Valley is a unique asset, as it enables us to offer every format of the game in one location”, he said.

“This will be a ground-breaking development and completely unique in this region.”

International Design Group and Brock Carmichael Architects designed the masterplan. Credit: Green Circle Leisure

It is estimated that the development would create 106 full-time permanent jobs.

Green Circle’s operations director Rhys Stanistreet-Tyer said: “We’re committed to ensuring that as many jobs as possible are for local people and we will be working with Knowsley Council and partners to target opportunities for those who are long-term unemployed or disadvantaged in the labour market.

“We are also a Liverpool-based company and are therefore committed to using local contractors and suppliers during the construction phase to maximise the benefits to the local economy.”

Roman Summer is the planning consultant for the scheme. The project team also includes Booth King Partnership, Crookes Walker Consulting, Ecology Services, Prime Transport Planning, and Tree Solutions.

To learn more about the plans, search for application number 21/00744/FUL on Knowsley Council’s planning portal.