A GOLF society said its 30-year tradition is under threat because of the Spatial Framework plans.

William Wroe Veterans Golf Society is a group of more than 100 senior citizens who play twice a week at the council-owned William Wroe golf course in Flixton. It was established in the 1983 and its eldest member is aged 89.

Society secretary David Medford said plans to set half of it aside for housing and to “remodel” the other nine holes would “totally destroy” the course as a viable entity and prevent the members of society from being able to enjoy exercise, sport and fellowship in their twice-weekly competitions.

He said: “Why should Flixton playing fields be protected against being built on and the front nine of William Wroe not be? They are both areas used for leisure and sport. I would suspect that, on a-day-to day basis, the golf course is used by more members of the public than the playing fields.

“It is the opinion of the members of the William Wroe Veterans Golf Society that the council should not even consider green belt land which is being used as a sports and/or leisure facility as a potential area for house building. If they want to build on green belt land they should look first at little or unused farmland and waste land in the area, notably alongside Carrington Lane.”

Mr Medford said the society provides a service to members, offering exercise and social contact which is greatly beneficial for their health and well-being.

“If the front nine holes of the William Wroe course are taken for housing it will destroy the whole course and members of the William Wroe Veterans Society will have to stop playing there which will mean that they will probably have to stop playing altogether,” he said.

Cllr Andrew Western said: “To be so dismissive of those for whom the golf course is a cherished facility shows a real lack of understanding on the council’s part. Once again it seems the Tories’ obsession with cutting the budget has come before basic courtesy.

“They now need to engage in a full and meaningful consultation with all regular users of the golf course, and redouble their efforts to ensure that a municipal offer will be retained in the Flixton area before going through with their plans to close William Wroe.

"We all know that the Tories want to build 750 homes on this site, but their attempts to avoid discussion with local people on this issue are really concerning. The people of Flixton deserve better.”

Trafford Council said it is early stages of a public consultation regarding its proposals as part of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

Trafford Council has organised a series of planned consultation events across the borough. The next meeting is at for Sale Waterside on Thursday December 1.

Following comments made at a previous meeting, the council has added a further Question and Answer session with Council Leader Sean Anstee at Urmston Grammar School, Newton Road, Urmston, on Thursday December 8, 7pm and 8.30pm.

The council is urging people wanting to find out more to come along to one of the planned sessions.

To formally submit views visit gmsf-consult-objective.co.uk/portal, email to GMSF@agma.gov.uk or post to Greater Manchester Integrated Support Team, PO Box 532, Town Hall, Manchester, M60 2LA. All submissions must be in by 5pm on December 23.