Peel says the scheme could provide a £1.6bn economic boost. Credit: via Peel L&P

Bolton will not defend Hulton Park decision

The council will not appoint external experts to defend its refusal of Peel L&P’s plans to develop a £240m Ryder Cup golf course, which goes to inquiry in October.

The decision follows legal advice as to the robustness of the reasoning made by Bolton’s planning committee in its February refusal of the project.

As proposed by Peel earlier this year, the project included 1,036 Green Belt homes, a primary school, hotel and conference centre along with a Ryder Cup-standard course.

Peel already had consent for an earlier iteration of the scheme from 2018, a decision ratified by the secretary of state in 2020.

In spite of the newer application seeking to address community concerns by including more cycleways, footpaths and community facilities, local opposition has remained strong, particularly in the shape of the Hulton Estate Area Residents Together (HEART) campaign.

Almost unanimously, councillors voted to refuse, in the face of officer recommendation.

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “Ahead of a planning appeal, it is normal practice for councils to seek legal advice to assess whether the grounds for refusal were sufficiently robust to be defended.

“Based on this advice, the council will not be able to appoint external experts to defend the reasons given for refusal of this planning application. However, elected members will want to represent the views of their ward residents, and will be fully supported by council officers to make their case.

“The council’s position was confirmed with the Planning Inspectorate last week, at which time HEART had already withdrawn from their position as a participant in the appeal process.

“Any successful appeal is still dependent on the applicant submitting a successful Ryder Cup bid.”

At February’s planning meeting, councillors had expressed cynicism that golf’s most high-profile team competition would ever come to Bolton, although the proposed course had made a shortlist of two to host in either 2031 or 2035.

Richard Knight, Peel L&P’s director of planning & strategy, said: “We acknowledge Bolton Council’s latest position on our Hulton Park proposals and understand that it will not be defending any of the reasons for its refusal of the plans.

“Our proposals to redevelop and restore Hulton Park have already received planning permission from the council in 2018 followed by the Secretary of State in 2020 and the revised plans we’ve now submitted are for a much-improved scheme that takes on board further feedback from the community.

“We look forward to putting our case forward at the public inquiry in October.”

For its part, HEART remains defiant, urging supports to lodge objections with the Planning Inspectorate, stating that “it would seem Bolton Council have backtracked on their brave decision to stand up to the developer”.

Your Comments

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Get the golf course built

By Anonymous

So it would appear that Bolton Council secretly want this built.

The roads in Westhoughton simply can’t cope with another 2,000 vehicles. It’s already gridlocked at rush hour.

By Nick

Shocking the SOS had given approval, the Councils planning decision to refuse the updated permission clearly didn’t hold water

By TJL

aka we can’t justify wasting even more taxpayers money paying professional fees on an appeal we can’t possibly win. Good decision.

By Anonymous

Absolute joke, the committee members should hang their heads in shame at their flagrant waste of public money and everyone’s time!

By Local Lad

Great opportunity for the North West and particularly Bolton to improve infrastructure and local economy income. This prestigious event will put the area on the map for a top golfing destination along the likes of Royal Birkdale, Lytham St Annes etc. A development of this magnitude will leave a lasting legacy for years to come. Don’t pass it by

By Anonymous

Shocking the SOS had given approval, the Councils planning decision to refuse the updated permission clearly didn’t hold water.

By TJL

Amazing Bolton not prepared to defend the indefensible decision made by Members against officers advice. The only way to stop this nonsense is for the inspector to awards costs against the Members when finding in PLP’s favour.

By Grump Old Git

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