Council approves changes to Hulton Park scheme, which hangs on winning Ryder Cup

Bolton Council has approved Peel Land’s proposal to preserve the planning permission for its £250m Hulton Park scheme which could create up to 1,000 jobs, if the town is successful in hosting the 2031 Ryder Cup golf tournament.

In October 2022 a public inquiry backed Peel’s Hulton Park plans, aimed at  boosting tourism and the local economy and bringing the 2031 Ryder Cup tournament to the town.

To allow the work to continue, in December 2024, Peel Land submitted plans to Bolton Council proposing limited works at the site to ensure that the planning permission granted by the Secretary of State in October 2022, and which expires in October 2025, remains live and capable of delivery.

At Bolton Council’s Planning Committee meeting yesterday (January 30), the council approved Peel Land’s request to vary the Section 106 Agreement for the planning permission, to enable those works to progress.

The variation enables only those limited works proposed – the remainder of the development remains conditional on securing the Ryder Cup.

Further applications will be submitted to the council to discharge relevant pre-commencement conditions in the coming weeks.

A spokesperson for Peel Land said: “We are pleased that Bolton Council has reaffirmed its support for the Hulton Park project.

“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.

“The works proposed are a critical step in safeguarding the permission and momentum we’ve built together with our public and private sector partners to unlock this major investment.

“It ensures that we can continue in confidence, working collaboratively to make Bolton a global sporting and cultural destination.”

A Bolton Council spokesperson said: “The council is pleased the Hulton Park bid remains live as momentum continues to build behind Bolton’s ongoing regeneration.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to bring The Ryder Cup, the world’s flagship golfing event, to Bolton, and in doing so create an iconic sporting destination that rejuvenates the historic Hulton Park while providing positive outcomes for residents.

“The project would create a positive legacy for the local area in terms of employment and skills, health and wellbeing, sport and tourism, serving as a catalyst for investment in the Wigan-Bolton Growth Corridor and local town centres.”