Revised plans unveiled for Liverpool golf club renovation
Golf and leisure company Green Circle has submitted an updated masterplan for the revamp of Allerton Manor Golf Club, including an expansion of the existing golf course and redesigned clubhouse.
The 128-acre golf club is located on Allerton Road in Woolton. It currently comprises a 5,500-yard municipal golf course and a nine-hole academy course, as well as a clubhouse, and grade-two listed manor. Planning permission to rework the site had been granted in 2021.
Delays in discharging conditions and a rethink during Covid led Green Circle to plot out an alternative masterplan, which was submitted to Liverpool City Council’s planning authority in December.
In this updated masterplan from Liverpool-based architects Brock Carmichael, there are several key changes. These include a redesigned clubhouse, improved Hay Loft function space, and an extended terrace to improve the social space at the club. A new lake, drainage balancing pond, and the relocation of a future adventure golf course to an area adjacent to the clubhouse are also planned.
A 66-bed hotel is also absent in the plans, as this has become the subject of a different planning application – one that was refused in December.
The updated masterplan also eliminates the driving range that had been initially proposed.
Andrew Craven from IDG, who has designed the new course layout at Allerton Manor, explained: “By abandoning the driving range facility and structure, we have much more scope to improve the design for the revised 18-hole Championship Course at Allerton Manor.
“We can create a better and more interesting course, and we can also retain 400 mature trees which were approved for removal in the previous master plan.
“We are also introducing a lake alongside the access road in between the new 1st tee and 18th green, which will enrich the biodiversity of Allerton and make the most of its exceptional landscape setting.”
John Cassell, lead architect at Brock Carmichael, gave more detail about the clubhouse changes.
“Our aim has been to design a building that fits more naturally into its setting,” Cassell said. “It’s a timber, red sandstone, and glazed building that complements the existing buildings at Allerton Manor whilst providing a modern high-quality clubhouse facility.”
Brock Carmichael has drawn up the plans for the masterplan. Credit: via Outlier Strategy
The enhancement of the Hay Loft function space includes an extended terrace that would be built with a retractable roof, and the installation of a platform lift to the first floor.
Green Circle director, Yvonne Jackson explained: “The club has become a popular social as well as sporting amenity for the community of South Liverpool. The modifications to the Hay Loft will create a more flexible venue with a terrace space as well as making the facility much more accessible to all our customers.”
The existing nine- and 18-hole golf courses would be re-routed and merged to form a single extended 18-hole course.
Roman Summer Associates is the planning consultant for the project.
The developer hopes that the planning application will be approved by Liverpool City Council by March.
The remodelled golf course is hoped to be completed by May 2024. The new clubhouse should open in spring 2025.
The planning application number for the masterplan with Liverpool City Council is 22F/3396.
Disappointing to read that the Driving Range is no longer part of the plan. That was the only element that we were excited about. Surprising as a range would generate great income and increased footfall for the hospitality elements.
Sounds like the masterplan is more about creating function rooms than providing an improved golfing service.
By Rory
I `m surpised that Green Circle have remained committed to this project, having to work with the super pedantic Liverpool Planning Department, the recent refusal of the hotel extension would have been the last straw for me.
It was described by a councillor as looking like Milton Keynes railway station, but it didn`t look that disastrous to me, in fact it looked similar to the much praised Wyncote Pavilion at the Mather Avenue sports ground, which uses large areas of glass, and has for years been deemed as architecturally interesting.
By Anonymous
I ‘m disappointed to see that the Driving Range has been omitted from the revised proposals. I rarely have time for a full round of golf but the range would have given me a great excuse to visit
By Anonymous
Glad the hotel proposal thrown out terrible design . Note another comment mentioned the Wyncote pavilion . This hotel however is plonked on top of a classical building. Clashing not adding to the building. Green Circle will stay in this project as the improvement they have all ready made are a great commercial success and add to the course and offer and the new lake sounds great . just hope they can get the hotel right !
By George
400 mature trees were going! Thats shocking.
They need to make this a classy place – it could be. Get rid of the sports bar and have a better offering on food. Decide what its going to be. Is it going to be a classy place where people want to go for dinner and have functions. Or an edgy football watching place! with big screens
By Bob Dawson
Can we have more sheds pretending to be buildings,.bigger sheds with windows and plastic or plywood panels..lots of big sheds please
By John Lynn
I agree that it’s a pity the driving range angle was dropped
When you look at how busy netherley always is it’s a missed opportunity to have them numbers and more part of the club, they’ll use the bars and restaurants and bring more kids into golf
By Local Resident
The noise from the golf course is horrendous!
Sounds like a back street Kareoke Club.
Sound proofing should be a consideration, not huge open air spaces for noisy parties.
By Anonymous