Hulton Park: Motion to reject Ryder Cup bid to go to Bolton Council

The bid is linked to an ongoing project to develop a luxury golf course along with more than 1,000 houses in Over Hulton, which was rejected by Bolton Council earlier this year.

The proposal has since been revived, but Liberal Democrat Councillors Deirdre McGeown and David Wilkinson have now filed a motion calling on Bolton Council to publicly oppose the appeal.

In a joint statement, they said: “There would also be a short-term boost to the economy, although most of that boost is likely to be to places other than this borough.

“However, as a result of any decision to allocate the Ryder Cup to Bolton, we would lose a large area of valuable green belt and historic gardens, forever.

“Already congested roads and other infrastructure would be put under further pressure."

The project will also include more than 1,000 houses (Image: Peel L&P)

This comes after Bolton Council’s decision not to defend the decision they took to reject the bid in the face of Peel L&P’s appeal.

But the developers say their plan will be of huge benefit to Bolton as a whole.

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Nick Graham, Peel L&P associate director for planning Nick Graham, said: “Plans to restore the park have already been approved by Bolton Council and the Secretary of State following a public inquiry and these new plans are for a much-improved scheme that would give the park new life and a new purpose."

He added: “Our revised plans offer even greater socio-economic benefits alongside more community facilities such as allotments, a village hall, leisure and recreational facilities and a new link road to alleviate congestion.

“Local and regional business leaders have recognised the positive impact our plans would bring to tourism, education, sport and health, and it would certainly help support the Government’s Levelling Up agenda and bring long-lasting prosperity to Bolton.

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“All the benefits this development would bring to the area can only be realised through a successful Ryder Cup bid and Hulton Park remains shortlisted as an English venue to host the tournament.”

The motion will be debated at Bolton Council’s next full meeting on September 7.