Green light for 208 homes at Horwich Golf Club

Plans for the Northstone scheme

Plans to build more than 200 energy efficient homes at Horwich Golf Course have been given the green light by Bolton Council.

The plans by housebuilder Northstone, part of Peel L&P, include 208 homes at the site off Victoria Road, with the community set to include 71 affordable homes and expansive new green spaces for new and existing local residents.

Northstone had seen their plans for Horwich Golf Club unanimously rejected by Bolton Council’s planning committee.

However, following a public inquiry last year, a government planning inspector allowed the scheme, which had been opposed by the Stocks Residents’ Association, local councillors and many others living in the area.

Northstone submitted details revised plans for the first two phases of redevelopment of Horwich Golf Club earlier this year.

It said the new homes ‘will exceed standard energy-efficiency requirements by providing proven technology’ to lower energy bills, such as heat-save technology, intelligent heating systems and waste-limited building specifications.

The homes will also have electric vehicle charge points and photovoltaic (PV) panels.

It’s expected that work will start on site in early 2023.

Jonathan England, Development Director at Northstone, said: “We’re pleased that our revised plans for Horwich Golf Club have been approved and believe this reinforces our unique approach to design and place-making.

“Our whole approach is to create quality family homes that meet a range of housing needs, set within acres of public green space.

“We’re committed to raising the bar when it comes to new build homes, none more so than in Bolton. We’ve recently won awards for our efforts to have a positive and sustainable impact on the communities where we work.”

The plans for Horwich evolved following extensive consultation with the community, politicians, the Council and local businesses to deliver a scheme that provides energy-efficient homes with affordable options to support local housing needs in partnership with Bolton At Home.

Around 50% of the site will provide publicly accessible green space and, following local feedback, the detailed plans include a larger central green corridor to help maximise this green space.

Jonathan England added: “We’ve worked really closely with the local community to develop a scheme that not only offers exemplary design but will deliver a sustainable and vibrant neighbourhood for existing and future generations. We look forward to continuing strong working relationships with local people in the future.

“We’re pleased to have been able to demonstrate our commitment to being a good neighbour and important partner in Bolton over the coming months and years ahead.”

Elsewhere on the site, the planned approach to Bond Close has also been amended to discourage drivers to use this as a primary access point and to minimise ‘rat-running’ along this route, directly addressing feedback from residents.

The revised plans will also ‘deliver significant economic benefits’, including around £641,000 towards local education provision and £260,000 for off-site open space in the community, as well as a significant contribution to improve the highway network to mitigate the impact of the development on local roads in and around Horwich.

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