LABOUR activists fear the decision to approve an application for a Ryder Cup golf course and 1,000 homes at Hulton Park could damage the party’s election chances.

The controversial plans were passed by eight votes to seven, with seven of those voting in favour being Labour councillors.

James Copper, a member of Bolton West Constituency Labour Party (CLP) who runs the Westhoughton Labour Twitter account said there was real anger among members in the area.

He says activists believe their job has been made much harder ahead of May’s local elections and could also harm constituency candidate Julie Hilling’s chances at the next general election.

Ms Hilling said: “We are all ever so disappointed with the planning committee’s decision for Hulton Park but we are relieved that Peel can’t do anything unless they get the Ryder Cup.

“But we are determined to continue to campaign against development on Hulton Park but also to change the planning regulations. The Tories have changed the planning regulations and it’s almost impossible to prevent building on greenbelt land. They have also taken away the grants to restore brownfield sites. Our enemies are not the local authorities, but the Tories who have allowed this building on our greenbelt.”

Responding to the activists fears that the planning decision could cost her at the ballot box, Ms Hilling said: “People will have a clear choice at the next election — a government that is harming our environment and the lives of so many people with their cuts to public services or a party that’s on their side and wants everyone to thrive whatever their income background.”

And there has been further fallout from the planning decision after a leaflet from Ged Cater, Labour candidate for Westhoughton North and Chew Moor also pointed the finger at the Tory government.

It was quickly withdrawn and Mr Carter said it had been printed up some weeks in advance and distributed by volunteers by mistake.

But Conservative Cllr Martyn Cox said “It’s deeply insensitive and misleading. When seven Labour councillors voted in favour, to suggest it’s the national Tory government’s fault is ridiculous.”

Mr Carter said the leaflet was written in anticipation of the planning committee rejecting the application and should not have been sent out. He said: “It was a terrible accident and because of the timing it looks we were trying to rub salt into the wounds and that was never the intention. Martyn knows that, he’s in a strong position to make hay while the sun shines.”