Development giant Peel says it “remains committed” to its plans to develop Hulton Park as part of its Ryder Cup bid, despite an open letter urging chief executive John Whittaker to abandon the scheme.

Councillors from the Hulton and Westhoughton North and Chew Moor wards wrote to the corporation’s supremo asking for plans to build more than 1,000 homes on the greenbelt site to be withdrawn.

They said the government’s decision to hold a public inquiry into the scheme had created a delay that meant it was “not possible” for the Ryder Cup bid — which the housing plans hinge on — to succeed .

But a Peel Land and Property spokesperson said: “We remain committed to the Hulton Park development and believe it is the right project to secure the future of the site, delivering substantial economic and social benefits for the people of Bolton. As it stands, the bidding process itself and the timescales remain unclear, however we are continuing discussions with partners and advisors.”

They added: “Securing the Ryder Cup still remains a viable and realistic proposition and we will make every effort to bring the benefits of this proposal to Bolton and the North West.”

Councillor Martyn Cox was a signatory to the letter.

He said: “I don’t think I was expecting them to drop the whole project but what we are trying to do by this letter is ratchet up the pressure on them. Our intention is to put as much pressure on them, in any way we can, to make them understand that the development as it stands isn’t acceptable to the local community.”