A GOLF club is planning to build a new clubhouse and demolish its current one to make way for homes.

Bolton Old Links Golf Club in Chorley Old Road has submitted plans to Bolton Council for a redevelopment.

By pulling down the current clubhouse, which was built in 1926, the club would create space for 14 new three-bedroom family houses clustered in seven blocks.

Income from the sale of the land for housing would cover the cost of constructing a replacement clubhouse and a new car park with 86 spaces.

The club said: "The proposed new clubhouse is part of an overall project to revive the status of the Old Links Golf Club in regional golfing circles to enable championship quality golf events to be re-instated.

"While the course itself remains of exceptionally high quality and high regard, changing circumstances and requirements have resulted in the Championship status of the club being lost in recent years.

"The club’s vision for future development and improvements as described previously cannot be realised without re-location of the clubhouse from its present site."

Bolton Old Links Golf Club, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, hopes improved facilities would go a long way to restore the staging of higher profile professional and amateur golf competitions.

Unlike the current clubhouse, the new one would have a view out over the moorland course with a renumbered 1st and 18th holes immediately in front.

The lower ground floor would accommodate the entrance lobby, professional’s shop, plant room and steward’s accommodation.

On the ground floor will be a secondary entrance and lobby, male and female locker rooms, toilets and showers and a lounge while visitors will find on the first floor the dining-cum-function room and bar, an external balcony, toilets, the kitchen, the bar store and a snooker room.

A club spokesman added: "The new golf clubhouse would serve and enhance the existing golf course bringing facilities up to modern day standards.

"The proposed location alongside southern edge of the course with easy access to the course and open views across it will undoubtedly be beneficial to members and visitors.

"These factors will assist the regaining of Championship status."