The city mayor of Salford has written to a golf club over speculation surrounding a multi-million pound land sale to a housebuilder.
Paul Dennett wants Swinton Park Golf and Country Club to 'clarify its position' amid widespread reports.
He also revealed he's been made aware the developers said to be involved have been 'seeking information about the planning status of the site' from the council.
Outraged club members meanwhile have told the M.E.N. they are planning to hold a public meeting.
One said: "I want to fight to save our great golf club.
"There's been uproar at the club and among local residents."
The challenging, 18-hole golf course and attached clubhouse sits on the busy A580 East Lancashire Road in Swinton, Salford, and dates back to 1926.
According to one member, shareholders approved a multi-million pound deal earlier this month, although the club hasn't commented.
Any development plans for the site are likely to trigger widespread protests due to the daily congestion on the East Lancashire Road and the loss of green land used for recreation and lesiure.
Mr Dennett said the golf course site 'was not earmarked for housing or any other form of development'.
He told the M.E.N: "Following speculation over the weekend on social media and from residents, I have written to Swinton Park Giolf Club to seek clarity about the rumours.
"The site is currently in private ownership and at this stage we only have very limited information, but we do know how important the golf course is for local people and the city as a whole.
"The golf course is not earmarked for housing or any other form of development and the city council has no intention of promoting its development through any emerging plan as it is an important leisure facility.
"The council has not been party to any decisions of the golf club and has limited information at the present time.
"Our starting position is that the golf course is an important facility for residents and communities across Salford which will remain in recreation and leisure use."
In his letter, which has been posted on Twitter, Mr Dennett wrote: "It has been brought to my attention through residents and social media that consideration is being given by the owners of the golf club to selling your course and clubhouse to a housebuilder.
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"This is as much as I know at the present time, although today I have been made aware that a housebuilder is seeking information about the planning status of the site.
"The golf club and its course are well established in Swinton, and to my knowledge successful.
"In the wake of Tiger Woods' victory at the US Masters, it is very disappointing to hear that the future of the club is in real doubt.
"I understand that the site of the golf club is not included in the existing City's Unitary Development Plan, and there are no development proposals for it in the Local Plan or Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.
"This makes sense, as there has never been any intention on the city council's part of promoting the site for housing development.
"If you or a housebuilder are looking to advance a proposal for housing development on the site, then you need to know that the city's starting position will be that this well-established golf course should remain as a golf course.
"This would be supported by the council's planning policies."
The M.E.N. has contacted the golf club for comment.
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