YOU will have seen that Peel Holdings has had its planning application to build a golf course and houses on the land at Hulton Park with a view to housing the Ryder Cup.

I live locally and would love this to happen, but, in my mind, it is is all just a smokescreen to build the houses and the golf course will never actually be built.

My reasoning behind this is:

1 There is zero chance that the Ryder Cup will be awarded.

2 A golf course project in the current climate would normally be a non starter and is not financially viable. I work in corporate finance so this is my field.

3 Established golf courses are struggling to survive in the region.

4 The planning department has recommended the acceptance of the application with a condition that the golf course is started before the housing, but, in reality, all this means is a few holes and landscaping will be done.

5 The houses will be built, and then the Ryder Cup not awarded and Peel will then say the golf club is no longer financially viable and apply for more housing.

6 In a meeting, Peel's representatives actually stood up and said they would not proceed with the whole development unless they were awarded the Ryder Cup.

7 My question is this, if Peel has said this, why have the planners not made the recommended condition that the development can only proceed if the Ryder Cup is awarded?

I am 100 per cent for the development, as long as the Ryder Cup is awarded.

My suspicions, however, and past experience of how developers work, lead me to believe that this is a pure smokescreen to develop an historic green belt site.

I think this needs to be asked of the council why it is not insisting the Ryder Cup is awarded before it can commence the development.

Peel has offered this, so why not take it up on the offer?

I feel the council actually knows the reality of the project and has taken the easy option.

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