Northstone fails for third time in Horwich 

Bolton Council once again voted to reject plans from Peel L&P’s housing arm to redevelop Horwich Golf Club, despite a significant reduction in the amount of homes since the scheme was first refused in 2018. 

Northstone proposed the construction of 150 homes, 50% fewer than the first iteration of the project proposed two years ago, as well as a 15-acre recreational and ecological green space at the golf club.

The first proposal for the site, which Peel L&P has owned since 2012, mooted 300 homes and was refused in 2018.

The second application, which saw the number of homes on the site drop to 276, also met rejection. 

Northstone has lodged an appeal against the refusal of the second application and a decision on those proceedings is pending. 

Jonathan England, development director at Northstone, said: “We’re incredibly disappointed with this decision as our plans for Horwich would help Bolton to meet its housing demand and bring significant health and wellbeing benefits to the community. 

“We listened to the community and the planning committee’s feedback on previous planning applications and our plans significantly reduced the number of homes proposed and offered 60% of the site as green space. 

“We will review this decision and the feedback carefully before considering our next steps.”