Peel Land is set to undertake 'limited work' on the £240m Hulton Park project, which involves building a Ryder Cup golf complex and over 1,000 new homes. Although they have planning permission for the controversial scheme, the development can only proceed if Bolton secures the rights to host the Ryder Cup in 2035.
Selection delays for the prestigious international golf event's venue have put pressure on Peel's timeline, as their current planning permission expires in October this year. The developer plans to start some minor works to maintain active planning permission.
They plan to build a ceremonial driveway at the location 'for the benefit of existing tenants'. A deed of variation regarding the scheme will be presented before Bolton Council's planning committee on Thursday, January 30.
Peel's proposed variation aims to allow 'limited works' without a definite choice on the Ryder Cup site. The report for the council states: "At the time of the Hulton Park planning permission, it was envisaged that the decisions on the selection of the venues and the award of hosting rights for the 2031 and 2035 Ryder Cups would be made in 2023 or 2024.
"This followed the selection of the Hulton Park site as a short-listed candidate venue by º£½ÇÊÓƵ Sport and Ryder Cup in 2021. Due to circumstances outside the applicants' control, the process has been delayed without a clear indication of when this matter would be clarified.
"The Government will consider the case for securing the Ryder Cup during 2025. "It is extremely unlikely that the selection process for the 2035 Ryder Cup will be concluded to enable the permission to be commenced prior to the expiry of the permission in October 2025,.
"One of the factors in the selection process for the Ryder Cup would be whether the site has an extant planning permission."
Peel currently have full planning permission for restoration works to Hulton Park, the development of a golf resort, clubhouse, golf academy and a hotelreports . They also have outline planning permission for the residential development of up to 1,036 homes, a village centre, village hall, community allotments, primary school, short stay holiday accommodation and highways infrastructure.
Last month, a spokesman for Peel said the proposed works will not change the plans but will ensure continued progress to unlock the 'transformational investment'. He added: "This is a transformational opportunity for Bolton – not only as a sporting venue and cultural destination but as a catalyst for long-term economic growth, job creation and investment.
"Our commitment to delivering the benefits of this project remains as strong as ever. The works proposed are a critical step in safeguarding the momentum we've built together with our public and private sector partners to unlock this major investment. "
Before this week's planning decision, Bolton West MP Phil Brickell, whose constituency includes Hulton Park, has stated that there should be no development at the site unless the Ryder Cup is awarded to Bolton. He said: "There has been considerable concern about work commencing on the Hulton Park site.
"Proper transparency is needed from Peel about their plans. As far as local residents are concerned the matter is settled, no development without the Ryder Cup.
"Many, including myself, feel it completely inappropriate for developers to find ways around final planning decisions by commencing limited works and submitting new applications. I've written both to Bolton Council and to Peel Group, seeking answers about ongoing works, the existing planning permission and oversight of the site."
The scheme, which has faced significant local opposition, was approved on appeal by a government planning inspector in 2022 who overruled Bolton Council's decision to refuse it.
In a scathing judgement, the inspector criticised Bolton Council's decision to refuse planning approval as one 'no rational authority would have made'. Throughout a two-day planning appeal hearing at the Holiday Inn in Bolton, the council did not attempt to legally defend its decision.
This proved costly for the council, which was ordered to pay £467,700 to cover the costs of the hearing, including Peel's legal expenses. Despite the developer not requesting costs, the inspector imposed them on the council regardless.
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