Councillors Accused of Steamrolling Decision on Birkdale Common

Controversial plans to fence off part of Birkdale Common to extend the Hillside Golf Practice Range are scheduled to pushed through by a three person committee as an urgent matter on the 18th August, limiting opportunities for discussion and public objections. 

The plans are being treated as urgent even though the changes requested are not needed before the Open Golf Championship next sumner (2026).The application will go to an Urgent Referrals Committee not directly to the full Planning Committee. 

The Common land grab is being questioned by thousands of residents and many dog walkers who use the Common. Some oppose the proposed plans outright; others seek to modify them. 

 According to Liberal Democrat opposition Leader, Cllr John Pugh, the rationale for deciding the application in this way is both dubious and unconvincing. 

   "Whatever decision the Council comes to it has to be accepted that there are always important issues of principle in forfeiting the use of Common land that through the centuries has belonged to the people. It really should not be decided in a small room in Bootle with three councillors ringed by council officers which is what is going to happen.

 Controversial decisions have to be as open and transparent as possible and major planning matters should involve at least the whole of the planning committee, if not the whole council.

 Currently we do not even know if the Council has agreed to sell the land and we certainly don’t know why the promoters of the British Open Championship are insisting on a practice ground in Southport appreciably longer than the one provided for the Open at Port Rush this year and at St Andrews where they are going to in 2027.  

 It is difficult to understand why the practice tee at Royal Birkdale isn't good enough and only suitable for hospitality tents. Consultation dates and details have changed and the fencing is a real issue.

All this argues for a wide, full and open debate, but that currently does not appear to be the Sefton way and designating this matter as an 'urgent’  item to be dealt with by a select sub-committee gives the impression that the Council wants to steamroller the decision through with the minimum of fuss.”