Huge housing plan hits rough as public inquiry decides fate

A MAJOR housing development of more than 1,000 homes, a Ryder Cup-ready golf course and the restoration of the historic Hulton Park Estate could be scrapped following a lengthy and costly campaign against it.

Developer Peel L&P’s plans to build 1,036 houses at the protected green belt site, together with an 18-hole golf course, 142-bedroom hotel and conference facilities will be considered afresh by a governmentappointed inspector at a public inquiry, which gets underway today (Tuesday).

It comes 18 months after councillors’ controversial decision to let the development go ahead, which was called in by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in July 2018.

The move followed a hard-fought battle by MPs, councillors and campaigners from Hulton Estate Area Residents Together (HEART), which also gained the support of Westhoughton-born actress Maxine Peake.

Bolton South East MP Yasmin Qureshi, who lobbied the Secretary of State to call in the decision, intends to speak at the public inquiry.

She will be objecting to the plans on highways and environmental grounds and argues the additional housing requires GPs, schools and shops to support it.

Lib Dem leader Roger Hayes said his group is also against the development and doubts the site will be chosen to host the golf championship it relies on. He said: “I think the Ryder Cup in Bolton is a lovely idea but not something I regard as very likely.”