I write following the publication of five separate articles and numerous letters in your newspaper over the last fortnight highlighting objections to the Hulton Park proposal. The main purpose of this letter is to point out a number of factual inaccuracies which create a misleading impression.

Hulton Park presents Bolton with a fantastic opportunity to create a new sporting and tourism venue to attract international events. It would be the only facility of its kind in the north of England and would raise the profile of Bolton on the global stage. The £250 million investment would stimulate the local economy and provide a wide range of new opportunities for local people. It would be a truly sustainable and transformational project, through the restoration of a historic park and investment in new community infrastructure, including a new relief road and a recreational trail. It would create a positive and lasting legacy for the entire area for generations to come.

We realise that there is bound to be some scepticism locally. We have made it clear from the outset that we cannot guarantee delivery ourselves, as decisions on both planning and golf will be made by the powers that be. This is a competitive situation against other cities and, indeed, nations but Hulton Park offers a unique opportunity that meets all the criteria for hosting international events and, based on our progress to date, we have every confidence in delivery. The proposal is real and needs serious and informed consideration and support.

Similar hurdles had to be overcome to competitively win and deliver projects like MediaCityUK, intu Trafford Centre and Liverpool John Lennon Airport, where foresight, determination and investment have brought positive transformation in other parts of the north west. We are working with local authorities and other partners to deliver projects like the new RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford and waterfront regeneration in Manchester, Trafford, Bury, Warrington, Wirral and Liverpool. We are proud to be presenting this opportunity to Bolton and believe that the town is open to investment and ready to make a success of the opportunity, even if some do not share our ambitions.

The Hulton Park project has been specifically designed for championship golf, with the course design by European Golf Design and the business plan prepared by European Tour Properties. We have stated all along that the project would only go ahead in the event that the Ryder Cup is secured. This basic principle is set out clearly within the planning application and has been reaffirmed to the local community throughout the consultation process. In consulting with local people, we have found that many residents understand and support the ambition and principles of the project, with concerns relating mainly to its impacts such as transport and traffic management, ecology and school places – all of which we are seeking to mitigate through design and new infrastructure.

In that context, your recent headline of a ‘ruse’ – which means deception – in relation to this project and the associated housing is both unfair and misleading. We note that the formal representation of the MP does not assert this. The housing element is critical, as it funds the golf project. If planning permission is granted for the project but the Ryder Cup is not secured, the permission could not be implemented. In that situation, the future of Hulton Park would need to be considered afresh, in the context of the emerging Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and ongoing need to invest in Hulton Park’s restoration. This would be the situation regardless of the current proposal, which has to be considered on its own as a single project.

The assertion made in the same article that there are enough brownfield housing sites is simply untrue, as the Council itself accepts it has a shortage of housing land and has accepted that it must identify greenfield sites to meet its housing needs. The existence of other golf courses locally fails to recognise that Hulton Park would be a unique championship grade facility that would operate in a different market and, if anything, may stimulate golf participation and demand locally. We will be communicating separately with the local MP to further explain our understanding on these matters.

If we are to successfully deliver this investment, we need the support of people across Bolton, Greater Manchester and, indeed, beyond. Anyone who wants to support, either as a local resident or a potential partner, who has not yet done so, can get in touch with us via our website www.hultonpark.co.uk and we would, as always, be delighted to hear from them.

Richard Knight

Planning Director

Peel Land and Property