October start for £240m Hulton Park appeal 

Peel L&P is hoping the planning inspectorate will overturn Bolton Council’s decision to refuse permission for the creation of a golf venue capable of hosting the Ryder Cup in 2031 or 2035. 

A planning inquiry that will weigh up whether or not the 128-acre Hulton Park project should go ahead will begin on 6 October, and Peel is imploring supporters of the development to make themselves heard. 

“We ask that anyone who wants to see this project go ahead sends their comments to the Planning Inspectorate,” said Richard Knight, director of planning and strategy at Peel L&P. 

“The restoration of Hulton Park is a generational investment opportunity, not only of itself but the wider positive impact it would bring in terms of social impact for local communities around skills, health, participation and prosperity, not to mention the huge boost it would give to Bolton and its wider regeneration plans.” 

As well as a world class golf course, the scheme features plans for more than 1,000 homes, a primary school, a health and wellbeing hub, food and entertainment spaces, a village hall and community allotments.  

Bolton Council refused the £240m project in February against the recommendation of its planning officers due to concerns about how the scheme would impact the Green Belt. 

At the time, Peel said Bolton had missed out on “possibly the biggest investment in its history”. 

February’s refusal was the second time the authority had blocked the plans. An earlier iteration of the project was rejected in 2018 but the planning inspectorate overturned that decision on appeal. 

“We already have the Secretary of State’s approval to redevelop Hulton Park and it is unfortunate that another public inquiry is needed for an improved proposal that responds to local feedback, but we now have another chance to articulate our case for this ambitious and transformative project,” Knight added. 

The project is conditional on Hulton Park securing the rights to host The Ryder Cup tournament in 2031 or 2035. 

Should Peel win at appeal, but not secure the Ryder Cup, the company has said it would need to develop a new strategy for redeveloping Hulton Park.