Bosses of the five-star, luxury Celtic Manor are in talks to manage the proposed new golf resort in Hoylake.
Host venue of the Ryder Cup and the 2014 NATO Summit, Celtic Manor, in south Wales, is one of Europe’s most prestigious golf destinations.
Celtic Manor is owned by billionaire businessman, Sir Terry Matthews, who is widely credited for bringing the Ryder Cup to Wales.
His team are in talks to manage the hotel, spa and conference centre of the new £190million scheme in Hoylake.
The new resort would be built on the site of the current Hoylake municipal course and Green Belt land adjacent to the current course.
Next week, Wirral’s Cabinet will consider a report setting out the next stages of the plan.
Leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Phil Davies said: “Hoylake Golf Resort will be an iconic international project bringing new jobs, prosperity and tourists to Wirral, boosting our economy and visitor numbers.
“It reflects the bold ambitions we have for Wirral and to have industry-leading organisations like Celtic Manor exploring the possibilities is encouraging.
“Tourism is an important part of our growth plan, and supports our pledges around a vibrant economy and job creation.
“We already know the power of golf to attract investment and international visitors to Wirral from our experiences hosting what are widely considered to have been two of the most successful British Opens in recent years”
However, the scheme is not without its critics with some local residents expressing widespread concerns about the plans to build the 350 acre resort, largely on Green Belt land.
They are concerned about the environmental impacts as well as doubts over whether it will benefit the local community and businesses.
In July 2015, Cabinet agreed to appoint the Joint Venture Group of legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus as its preferred development partner, and will now be asked to enter into a Framework Development Agreement, to enable the Jack Nicklaus Joint Venture Group to begin drawing up a comprehensive Funding Strategy, to be presented to Council at a later date.
“The next stage is to consult on a range of commercial, technical and legal issues to help us draw up a blueprint for moving forward,’ said Cllr Davies.
‘We will continue to consult and engage with local residents and other interested parties as we look to move forward in delivering these exciting plans.’
The proposed Hoylake Golf Resort will see two new championship golf courses built including the only Jack Nicklaus designed municipal course in the country.
The plans also include a luxury hotel, conference centre and Links Academy to support Wirral’s ambition to be the Capital of UK Links Golf.
About Celtic Manor
The five-star Celtic Manor Resort is set on 2,000 acres of lush parkland near Newport, Wales. The 334-room luxury resort and 67-room Manor House are equipped with two spas, two health clubs, a shooting school, fishing, adventure golf, tennis courts and walking trails.
It has received a vast array of accolades including European Hotelier of the Year, Europe’s Leading Golf Resort, UK Sport Venue of the Year and was voted the UK’s Best Hotel at the Meetings and Incentive Travel Awards for four years running from 2011-2014.
In 2014, it hosted the Nato Summit, the largest gathering of world leaders ever held in the UK and was the venue for golf’s Ryder Cup in 2010, which was estimated to be worth £82.4 million to the Welsh economy.