PLANS to turn an abandoned golf course between York and Knaresborough into a new residential community are back on track as new owners step in to buy Flaxby Park.

The sale of the 278 acre site, on the A59, was confirmed on Wednesday by liquidators of its previous York-based owner Skelwith (Leisure) ltd, which went into administration in July last year.

New owners Flaxby Park Ltd, part of holding company HUTC, have revealed they will push ahead with previous plans for the site, which will see it redeveloped as a new settlement of homes, a new schools, shops and community facilities.

They say the takeover will bring a "bright future" for the site, which has suffered from "numerous false dawns", with consultations on plans to start immediately.

Initial plans for Flaxby, put forward by Skelwith in 2008, centred around a £100 million golf resort, with a country club featuring 303 rooms, three restaurants, a luxury spa complex, bars and boutiques, set around a 27 hole golf course, within nearly 300 acres of countryside.

Skelwith then withdrew the proposals in favour of a new "village" development with 2,500 homes, however potential building work was stalled when a high court battle ensued between Skelwith and previous the previous landowner which claimed the developer fell short of paying the full £7 million asking price for the site.

The site was then put on the market by Skelwith Leisure's administrators RSM.

New owners Flaxby Park Ltd say that as well as helping to meet the housing needs of Harrogate, the development will provide hundreds of full time jobs over a decade, and multi-million pound boost to local councils in new homes bonus and council tax payments.

Ray Mallon, spokesman for Flaxby Park Ltd, said: "We are delighted to confirm that agreement has been reached with the official liquidator for the acquisition of this site and contracts have been exchanged.

"In the past Flaxby has suffered from numerous false dawns, what the new owners can offer is a bright future.

"Consultation is key and a major exercise will now commence to ensure the people of Harrogate, their representatives and any other parties interested in securing the future of the local area have their say.

"A key factor is that this team do not need to raise external funding, they have the money in place to deliver on their plans."

Flaxby Park Ltd owned by Ann Gloag, Chris Musgrave and Trevor Cartner.

Mrs Gloag, a former nurse and one of Britain’s most successful business people, is a well known investor in strategic land throughout the UK and is also the co-founder of the transport giant Stagecoach.

Mr Cartner and Mr Musgrave have delivered housing and business sites across Britain including Wynyard Park in the North-East and Discovery Park in Kent.

Adrian Allen, restructuring partner based out of RSM’s Leeds office and one of the joint liquidators of Skelwith (Leisure), said: "We are delighted to confirm that contracts for the sale of the former site of Flaxby Golf Club have now been exchanged with HUTC Limited and completion of the sale is imminent, subject to legal formalities being finalised.

"The sale, to a party that has expertise in regeneration projects, will ensure that the site can reach its development potential and brings to an end the uncertainty arising following the demise of Skelwith Leisure."