A FINAL decision on the transformation of Hulton Park could be made in mid-July.

Peel's plan to turn the Grade II-listed site into a Ryder Cup golf course and 1,036 homes was approved by Bolton Council's planning committee in March.

But the application has to go before the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government James Brokenshire before building work can start.

And Cllr Martyn Cox, who represents Westhoughton North and Chew Moor, has been in contact with the planning office and told the application is due to be sent to the Government department soon.

He said: "If it goes in soon then we should get a decision I would have thought by mid-July."

Cllr Cox, along with his fellow Westhoughton councillors, has been a staunched opponent of the plans tor redevelop the site and spoke against the application when it went before the committee.

He said he would like to see the Secretary of State call in the plans for further inspection.

The Conservative added: "That would be my preferred outcome but I have no idea what they will do as we do have a new Secretary of State."

A spokesman from Bolton Council said the application had not been sent off as of Friday.

Campaign group Hulton Estate Area Residents Together (HEART) has been protesting against the development since the proposal was first revealed a couple of years ago.

The fight has continued since the planning committee's decision, in which eight members voted in favour and seven against.

Thousands of letters of objection have been sent both to the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and to Prime Minister Theresa May's office.

As well as the 18-hole golf course and houses, the approved development also includes 142-bed hotel and spa complex with 150 parking spaces, a golf clubhouse, a driving range and academy, a shop and a restaurant.

Peel is hoping that the course will host the Ryder Cup tournament in 2026 and the council stated the development could only go ahead if Hulton Park won the bid to host the contest.

As well as the 18-hole golf course and houses, the approved development also includes 142-bed hotel and spa complex with 150 parking spaces, a golf clubhouse, a driving range and academy, a shop and a restaurant.