Golf club lands planning approval in quest to bring back The Open

The Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club has been granted planning permission for remodelling works which will pave the way for it hosting the highest level competitions in future years.

The course, which will host the AIG Women’s Open in 2026, hopes to see the return of the R&A Open Championship gold competition. 

Coun Karen Buckley, leader of Fylde Council, highlighted research from Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre which found that the event generated around £65m in economic benefits to Lancashire when the Open was hosted here in 2012, with £25m of this extra spending being received by the Fylde Coast.

She also noted the 151st Open, held at the Royal Liverpool in 2023, generated more than £187m in overall economic benefit for the Wirral and the wider Liverpool City Region, which was a 35 per cent increase compared to the last event there in 2014.

Coun Karen Buckley said: “The remodelling of the Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Course promises to anchor the club as a major economic asset to Fylde by ensuring its suitability to host prestigious championships for years to come." 

Contrasting the potential economic benefits is the fact that the course sits within a biological heritage site containing important and rare habitat and species.

The remodelling works will include: a new practice ground and practice tee; building of a new tee on the 14th hole; alterations to reroute the 11th fairway; and works to improve the road system to provide access around the course.

Coun Richard Redcliffe, deputy leader of Fylde Council and chair of the planning committee, said: “On careful consideration, we found the supporting studies and ecological survey work had been undertaken by suitably qualified ecologists, and followed best practice guidance in the survey methodology and mitigation design.

“These studies indicate the alterations to the course can be implemented in a sensitive manner, avoiding any adverse impact on the ecology of the site, whilst introducing and maintaining dune and habitat health.”