The Open: Royal Birkdale Golf course expansion plans approved
'Bullying tactics'
Mr Marsden said there was "overwhelming public opposition to this application".He added: "R&A has not come close to justifying why it is essential for it to take over part of our public park."I would urge the committee not to bow to R&A's bullying tactics and its ridiculous claim that failure to commence work by September could put the whole Open tournament at risk."There was no representative from R&A at the meeting.
Sefton Council's planning team recommended the proposals should be approved, stating The Open was "a very significant benefit to the borough"."The last time it was held here in 2017, it attracted over 230,000 visitors," the report said.It said the development would "help to improve the quality of the golf course and ensure that it remains in the position to attract world class events such as The Open".The planning team said the space taken "would be less than one hectare while the overall space within the common is in excess of 20 hectares" and the proposal "will include realignment of the public right of way, ensuring continued access to the common".The elected members at the subcommittee meeting at Bootle Town Hall on Monday approved the application.
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