Table of Contents
A deal that could see golf return to the former Brackenwood Golf Course in Bebington has taken a step forward.
Wirral Council's chief executive approved the heads of terms for leasing the course to Link Golf UK Limited, or a company it nominates, on Tuesday 10 November.
Councillors on the Policy and Resources Committee agreed in December 2025 that a lease should be negotiated.
Since then officers have had to deal with a covenant on most of the land dating back to 1933, when Lever Brothers exchanged land with Bebington Urban District Council. It requires the land to be kept as a public park and pleasure grounds.
Unilever, which inherited Lever Brothers' rights, has agreed to give a letter of consent allowing the lease to go ahead. The covenant itself stays in place.
Under the new terms, the area that could be considered Brackenwood Park will remain open to the public for the whole of the lease.
The lease includes a rent-free period to reflect the cost of restoring an 18-hole course. The decision notice says the tenant is "not obliged but enabled" to carry out those works.
Any remodelling would need planning permission and other consents first.
Council leader Councillor Paula Basnett said: "We want to see golf thriving at Brackenwood again, with a full 18-hole course brought back into use, while ensuring people continue to have access to the park."
She continued, "There is still work to do, but this is real progress towards giving Brackenwood a sustainable future that residents can continue to enjoy."
Wirral Council also confirmed that the golf course could return to use on social media.
"Progress is being made on a proposed new lease that could help secure the long-term future of the site and support the return of a full 18-hole golf course," the council said.
Because much of the land was bought under the Public Health Act 1875, the council must now publish fresh public notices for two weeks.
The chief executive will then consider any representations before agreeing the final terms.
