Belford Golf Club owner remains 'positive' on plans for £12million redevelopment scheme

Owner David Ratliff has responded to calls from parish councillors for further information on his plans for a £12million leisure, housing and retail development on the site.

He had indicated in August that an application would be submitted in the autumn but it has not yet been lodged with Northumberland County Council.

"We’re working on it daily to have it submitted,” he revealed.

His planning consultant, Tony Carter, revealed that a pre-application enquiry to the county council had been submitted seeking guidance on the redevelopment.

This included proposals for eight executive dwellings; 46 standard specification dwellings; extension to the clubhouse; provision of bowling green and play park; provision of retail units/supermarket/farm shop; tennis courts; multi use sports pitch (MUGA); golf driving range; micro-brewery; and holiday lodges.

The nine-hole golf course would be retained.

"The response received from the county council was positive, though did identify a number of issues and matters that would need to be addressed prior to the submission of a formal planning application to the council,” explained Mr Carter.

“The applicant is currently in the process of addressing these matters and has commissioned the necessary specialists to undertake the relevant site investigations, studies, and assessments required to address the matters identified by the council.”

Mr Ratliff is confident the scheme will come to fruition and was buoyed by the positive response to an outline of the plans at a public consultation event in the summer.

“Given the massive positive response from residents, including the broader local area, who are keen for more facilities as otherwise need to travel to Berwick or Alnwick, and second home owners, we expect a very positive response,” he said.

“Given a recent approval for housing with no such extensive facilities we consider the plans to be excellent.

"We have taken on board comments from the local consultation to include some affordable housing, plus some for those wishing to long term rent.”

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