Bolton’s ambitious bid to host Ryder Cup back on after inquiry ruling on £250m project

Bolton’s ambitious plans to host the Ryder Cup are back on after a successful appeal over a huge £250 million project.

Plans for a vast development including an elite Ryder Cup course, golf academy, hotel, over 1,000 homes, allotments, primary school and a village hall on the historic Hulton Park had been taken to a public inquiry after being rejected by the local council for its environmental impact.

But the public inquiry decision now means that developers can go full steam ahead with plans, but only if Bolton is chosen as a Ryder Cup venue in either 2031 or 2035. The proposed Hulton Park Championship course is on a two-venue shortlist in England for the 2031 edition of golf’s biggest team event, alongside the London Club in Kent.

And a formal bid is expected to be made next year to host the biennial showdown between USA and Europe in 2031. The outcome of the bid will determine whether the proposals, that could total £250m, will go ahead after developers Peel L&P were given the approval required on Tuesday by a planning inspector.

Peel L&P’s bold plans hope to generate £1.6 billion for the economy, while making the competition the most watched Ryder Cup in history with up to 80,000 spectators entering the golf course on each day. Richard Knight, Director of Planning and Strategy at Peel L&P, welcomed the planning inspector’s decision.

“We put forward a robust and compelling case at the Public Inquiry and are pleased that the Inspector has recognised the long-term benefits a revitalised Hulton Park will bring to the economy of Bolton and the North West,” Knight said.

“This demonstrates that our plans in the best interests of Bolton and local people and now is the time for Bolton to get behind the bid and support the development coming to the town to help secure a prosperous and exciting future for Bolton.”

Knight added: “We know that many people are genuinely excited about the prospects of one of the world’s greatest sporting events coming to Bolton, bringing many jobs, opportunities and international profile to the town.”

More than 250,000 spectators attended when the Ryder Cup was last held on European soil at Le Golf National in Paris in 2018, and huge numbers are expected one again in next year’s battle as the USA team aim to defend their crown at the Marco Simone course, just outside Rome.