A WIDNES golf course shut down after the discovery of deadly arsenic 12 years ago is to re-open.

Golfers will be able to tee off at St Michael’s in Ditton after a new course is developed.

Major land remediation was completed in 2013.

The northern section of the the Dundalk Road site has been leased by Halton Council to Mersey Valley Golf and Country Club to provide a nine-hole municipal course, driving range, clubhouse and car park.

Halton Cllr Ron Hignett, board member for the physical environment, says: “It is great news that work is about to start as the golf course was very popular and I’m sure the new facility run by Mersey Valley will be very well used.

“The council has remained committed to the reinstatement of a golf course since the closure of the course in 2004 and throughout its remediation.

“This has been challenging in the face of tough economic times and significant changes to public finances requiring local authorities to make budget savings.”

Mersey Valley has secured the relevant permits from the Environment Agency and planning consent from the Council for the course and driving range.

The redevelopment of the whole course is expected to take five years to be fully complete, but the driving range is anticipated to be open in two years.

The original St Michael’s Golf Course was created in the 1970s on the northern section of a former chemical tip for industrial waste products, following some minor reclamation work.

The Southern nine holes were established in the 1980s when environmental standards had started to improve.

Due to evidence of contamination to Stewards Brook, studies were undertaken on the brook and the wider course, the results of which led to the Northern section being closed by the Council in October 2004 on advice from the Health Protection Agency.

There then followed a lengthy statutory process of consultation, investigation and assessment to bring forward remediation of the site.

In 2009 the Council successfully obtained £2.47 million pounds of funding from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for the remediation works on the Northern section.

This work comprised the import of clean cover material to cap the contaminated surface soils, the diversion of Stewards Brook away from the contaminated groundwater (leachate) and the installation of a leachate collection system and treatment system.

Stewards Brook and the leachate collection and treatment system are not included in the area that will form the new golf course and driving range.

The remediation works were fully completed in 2013.

Roger Bush, managing director of Mersey Valley, said: "The directors of Mersey Valley Golf and Country Club are pleased to be working with Halton Council in reinstating municipal golfing facilities at St. Michael’s.

“We have more than 30 years’ experience in the development of golf courses through our association with St. Mellion International.

“We will be using local businesses and labour to take the project forward and will be working closely with Bannon Tipper Hire and Recycling during the construction period.

“This is a small family business based in Widnes. I am especially pleased to be working again with Phil Bannon, and this contract has enabled him to employ additional staff.”

As part of the council’s agreement with Mersey Valley, discounted rates are available now for all Halton residents at Mersey Valley Golf Course through the council’s Halton Leisure Card scheme.

This agreement will continue until the new course at St Michael’s is operational.