The developer behind plans to build a £200m golf course in Bolton, which it had hoped would host the Ryder Cup in 2031, has vowed to appeal the decision to reject it.
Peel L&P said it would invest £240m in Bolton and “help put the town on a global stage” as it confirmed plans to appeal Bolton Council’s decision to voted down its revised plans to redevelop and restore Hulton Park in February.
The revised scheme included the redevelopment of a 800-acre site which could have created 1,000 jobs.
READ MORE: Councillors vote down £200m ‘Ryder Cup’ golf course plans
The proposals, which included more than 1,000 homes, a primary school, a hotel and conference centre, were a refreshed vision of the ones that were approved by the government in 2020.
Since then, Peel L&P had revisited them to incorporate a number of changes as a result of community feedback, in particular making the scheme more ‘sustainable, inclusive and accessible’ as well as delivering more new community facilities for local people.
However the plans have not been without controversy after receiving hundreds of complaints from local residents.
Richard Knight, director of planning and strategy at Peel L&P, said: “We already have planning permission to redevelop and restore Hulton Park following the secretary of state’s approval in 2020 so we were very disappointed that Bolton Council refused our revised and improved scheme as it takes on board more local feedback and really is a once in a generation opportunity to invest in Bolton and level up the region.
“This level of investment will only happen if Hulton Park secures the Ryder Cup and we remain committed to securing support for the development as we know the extent of the benefits it will bring to Bolton and the North West.
“These include better housing choices, more jobs, improved transport, new health and wellbeing facilities and a golfing academy for the entire community.
“It is an ambitious scheme but one that Bolton deserves and needs. We want local people to be proud of what their town can achieve and get behind these revised plans as opportunities like this do not come along every day and the benefits will last a lifetime.”
The plans have been the subject of considerable and sustained opposition, with an initial public consultation receiving 589 letters of objectionMike Blackburn, chair of Marketing Manchester, added: “The hopes of the North West hosting The Ryder Cup at Hulton Park in 2031 or 2035 remain very much alive and I believe this is a prize worth fighting for, and look forward to a positive outcome.
“If Hulton Park does gain planning consent and is selected to host one of the world’s greatest sporting competitions, Bolton and the wider region would see substantial benefits in terms of in-bound tourism for many years to come, as well as creating some outstanding community facilities benefiting the local community.”
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