FPDSavills has been instructed to sell the North Course at Wychwood Park, Cheshire on behalf of Countryside Strategic Projects Plc, who are the master developers behind the Wychwood Park project.
The site, formerly known as Weston Hall, was granted planning permission in the early ‘nineties for the construction of two 18 hole golf courses, hotel complex and 500 houses. The challenge was to make good use of the undulations and comply with the Environment Agency on ecology and the environment.
After many years of delay the project was taken on and resurrected by Countryside Properties, a large residential/commercial developer with offices in Brentwood, Bristol, Warrington and Laetherhead.
Martin Hawtree of Hawtree Limited was commissioned to amend the previous scheme design and develop the concept with RPS Consultants (landscape planners) into a top quality facility. The successful golf course constructor, John Greasley Ltd, has worked many times with Hawtree and understands the architect’s distinctive style.
Countryside has now successfully carried out a major development that includes a conference centre/hotel, the construction of 390 executive homes, currently being developed in small groups around the site, as well as two golf courses: to the north and to the south of the overall greenfield location.
The conference centre/hotel includes the following facilities:
- 108 en-suite guest bedrooms
- 9 main training rooms
- 18 syndicate rooms
- gym/leisure spa
Initial Style Conferences own and operate this facility as well as the existing South golf course, which operates as a proprietary members club. This area is not included in the sale.
The recently completed North golf course extends to 6,550 yards par 72. It has been developed to a good “club” standard in keeping with the quality of the overall development and will be available for play in 2004. The North golf course surrounds a further area earmarked for residential development and Countryside is currently looking to provide 315 dwellings comprising a roughly equal mix of 2, 3 and 4 bed properties.
At present there is no clubhouse or maintenance facility and a purchaser would be expected either to build to their own requirements or fund Countryside to build them on their behalf.
The developers were required to build the North golf course as part of the overall planning agreement for the site and have no interest in continuing their involvement with the golf element, other than to ensure that it is suitability maintained, bearing in mind the positive impact it will have upon their residential development.
Gary Witham of FPDSavills said, “This is a remarkable and unusual opportunity for a golf operator to acquire a recently constructed course in an outstanding location. With the new housing being constructed and the conference centre, there is a market for this facility right on the doorstep.”
FPDSavills is instructed to seek a purchaser for the North golf course in its present condition at a guide price of £1.25M, subject to contract.
Wychwood Park www.wychwoodpark.com.
FPDSavills www.fpdsavills.co.uk/golf
Hawtree Limited www.hawtree.co.uk
John Greasley Ltd www.johngreasley.co.uk