DEVELOPERS behind plans to build homes and a potential Ryder Cup hosting golf course at the Hulton Park estate say that refreshed proposals will mean less impact on the green belt.

Peel says at least a third – and up to a half – of the new homes proposed will not be on green belt land, compared with the development currently approved.

The previous plans, which were granted approval in 2020, included 1,036 homes, all of which would be built on green belt land.

In its refreshed vision, launched after public feedback, Peel has expanded the site to include a large area of additional land to the west of Hulton Park which is not within the green belt and has been earmarked for housing.

An opposition group to the plans, Hulton Estate Area Residents Togther (HEART) says despite the revisions the development would be ‘catastrophic’ for the environment and lead to increased congestion on the roads.

Peel said the plans would allow more of Hulton Park to be retained as parkland.

They claim the refreshed masterplan would also reduce the density of the housing, which would be be set in village clusters around greenways and pocket parks.

The developer has also released new details of enhancements to the amount publicly accessible green space included in the new vision.

They include a multi-use trail for walking, running and cycling from Over Hulton to Westhoughton, a new orbital path around the edge of Hulton Park and extensions to existing public rights of way.

Access to the area would also be improved through the creation of a 3km long ‘Park Avenue’ running from the M61 towards Atherton.

This is different to the 1km link road proposed as part of the approved scheme, and by bypassing Chequerbent roundabout and Snydale Way will provide a better gateway to the estate and serve as traffic relief for the area.

Peel said the creation of new homes would be enabled by a successful bid to bring the Ryder Cup tournament to the proposed Hulton Park Golf Resort.

The golf course has already been shortlisted by UK Sport and Ryder Cup Europe as a potential venue for England’s bid to host the Ryder Cup in 2031 or 2035.

Peel launched a public consultation earlier in June into the refreshed proposals which will end on June 30.

Richard Knight, Peel director of land and communities, said: “The detail of our refreshed proposals demonstrate a greener, more accessible and more inclusive Hulton Park, which can benefit the local economy and the communities of Bolton for generations to come.

“There is great demand for all types of new homes in Bolton but we understand the sensitivities of building on green belt land.

“By bringing land to the west of Hulton Park into our proposals, land that is not green belt but has been previously identified for housing, we can extend the new parkland, community facilities and golf course whilst significantly reducing the amount of housing proposed within the green belt.”

David Chadwick, the chair of HEART, said: “Peel are not going to be philanthropic for the sake of it. They are in it for one thing, the profit.

“The area around Westhoughton and Hulton is sinking under housing development after housing development.

“These plans will see thousands more cars on roads which are already congested and lead to damage to the environment and wildlife habitat which cannot be repaired.”

Mr Knight acknowledged opposition to the plans and said some in Bolton ‘lacked belief’ that it could host one of sport’s premium events.

He said “All of this would be enabled by a successful bid to bring the Ryder Cup to Bolton.

“This is a very real possibility which would bring jobs, investment, a major boost to the visitor economy and new long term opportunities for the town.

“We have received a huge volume of interest in the public consultation so far. Some people are very excited and believe in what we are trying to do.

“There is also some opposition and a lack of belief that Bolton could attract one of the world’s greatest events, but with the changes we want to make, we hope to bring more people on this exciting journey.”