CAMPAIGNERS vowed to fight on after planning chiefs gave the go-ahead to transform historic Hulton Park into a Ryder Cup golf course by just one vote.

But property giants Peel voiced their delight after they were given permission to build the course, more than 1,000 homes and a luxury hotel complex as Bolton Council’s planning committee voted to approve the application by eight votes to seven.

Richard Knight, planning director for the company, said: “It was a close vote and it swung both ways but we are very happy. It has allowed us to move to the next stage on the project.”

Despite the blow, objectors say they have not given up hope.

Sandra Hesketh, secretary of Hulton Estate Area Residents Together (HEART), said: “It’s not over until the fat lady sings, we will have to keep lobbying the Secretary of State now.

"I knew it would come down to one vote, but I’m heartened by the number of people who did vote against it.

"I still feel hopeful, we have still got a chance, it’s still got to go to the Secretary of State and this is a major thing.

"They are going to move one million tonnes of earth, chop down 23 acres of trees. What they are missing is that it takes 40 to 50 years for a mature tree to grow.

“And the other interesting thing is it’s a high-risk flood area on the south east of the site. A mature tree drinks 50 gallons of water every day. If they are going to cut down that number of trees, where is all that water going to go?”

HEART campaigner Noel Spencer-Griffiths, who spoke in objection to the application, also said he was not giving up hope.

Mr Spencer-Griffiths, who lives in Hulton, said: “I’m pretty disappointed. I think the planning committee missed the point.

"In fairness, I cannot honestly say it would not be beneficial for the Ryder Cup to come to Bolton.

"But I don’t expect it to happen. You will just end up with 400 houses on the site. Ultimately, there’s talk of 4,000 houses if you develop the entire area, although that’s a long way down the line.

"The problem we have is because the application has been provisionally granted is if the Ryder Cup isn’t obtained the land which will form the golf course will be reclassified as greenfield and not subject to the same National Planning and Policy Framework restrictions.”

Cllr David Chadwick, chairman of HEART, who represents Westhoughton South, said: “I’m devastated that the application has been approved because I don’t think for one minute it’s going to bring the Ryder Cup to Bolton in 2026.

"There are too many other golf courses in the British Isles interested in it and on the continent of Europe.”

But Cllr Chadwick said he did not hold out any hope that the Secretary of State Housing, Communities and Local Government would overturn the decision.

“That is beyond the bounds of possibility as far as I’m concerned because Peel Holdings is a major contributor to the Conservative Party. There’s no way the Secretary of State is going overturn that decision. It’s beyond the pale.”

Cllr Chadwick told The Bolton News he believed some people had been swayed by the prestige of the Ryder Cup.

He said: “This carrot has been dangled in front of them and they have gone for it.”And he said he was worried by the precedent that the decision could set.

“That’s my precise fear, because if you pass this one, then do we have to pass the next one? It’s on the horns of a dilemma

“At the end of 2019, if Peel don’t get this event at Hulton Park they are going to come back and still want to build 1,000 houses, knowing full well they are going to be expensive houses.

“They are not going to build social houses next to a championship golf course if it goes ahead. There are absolutely no affordable houses in that application.”

Julia Hulton, a descendant of the Hulton family who joined Heart for the demonstration against the development, said: “Obviously it is a very sad day for myself due to my family connections and the heritage.

"It was a very close vote in the end, but it is not over yet. We have to be positive and optimistic about the future.The fight is definitely not over and we are not going to give up.”

A spokesman for Peel Land and Property said: “This positive move by the committee is a huge step forward in our shared vision of bringing the world’s third largest sporting event — the Ryder Cup — to Hulton Park, with huge economic and social benefits for the people of Bolton. Greater Manchester is already home to many iconic sporting and cultural venues, in keeping with its growing global status.

"The strategic fit for Bolton Council is immense – investment and tourism; jobs and skills; sport, recreation and health; heritage and biodiversity, new homes and transport infrastructure."