Residents say they want more answers about an appeal to get £240million 'Ryder Cup' golf plans - with 1,000 new houses back on track.
Developers Peel and L&P announced just yesterday that the company will appeal a decision by Bolton Council to reject its controversial Hulton Park plan, which would have include the luxury golf course.
Over Hulton Community Group organiser John Bullen said: “Everybody suspected it was coming, it would be nice for clarification about what is being appealed.”
He added: “The proposal that was rejected included a lot of stuff for the community so that being turned down may have actually lost us a lot of stuff.
“And they’re saying that the estate is going to be opened up, well let’s get up opened up now.
“Let’s have some guided tours and some events put on where people can come in and have a look.”
The developers hope to meet this interest and say a series of community events and activities are also being planned at Hulton Park over the coming months.
These include a community archaeological dig with The University of Salford, walking tours, a summer fete and an arts event.
But campaigners like Hulton Estate Area Residents Together (Heart) are still opposed to the move and say that the plan it’s too dependent on Bolton’s bid to host the Ryder Cup in 2031 or 2035.
HEART secretary Sandra Hesketh said: “It’s not unexpected, it’s what Peel always do when they lose.
“Nothing has changed, we know our arguments are sound.”
She added: “They’re arguing the special circumstances of the Ryder Cup but there’s no guarantee of the Ryder Cup.”
She added: “HEART have fought long and hard about this, we don’t want it, the residents don’t want it and the council doesn’t want it.
“For Peel this is a cash cow and they’re going to milk it.”
But the company hopes to win the community round.
Peel L&P director of planning and strategy Richard Knight said: “We already have planning permission to redevelop and restore Hulton Park following the Secretary of State’s approval in 2020 so we were very disappointed that Bolton Council refused our revised and improved scheme as it takes on board more local feedback and really is a once in a generation opportunity to invest in Bolton and level up the region.
“This level of investment will only happen if Hulton Park secures the Ryder Cup and we remain committed to securing support for the development as we know the extent of the benefits it will bring to Bolton and the North West.
“These include better housing choices, more jobs, improved transport, new health and wellbeing facilities and a golfing academy for the entire community.
“It is an ambitious scheme but one that Bolton deserves and needs. We want local people to be proud of what their town can achieve and get behind these revised plans as opportunities like this do not come along every day and the benefits will last a lifetime.”
Peel L&P admits that the project is conditional on Hulton Park securing the rights to host the Ryder Cup tournament in 2031 or 2035.
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