A golf club plans to demolish its clubhouse to make way for houses and build a new hub elsewhere on the course.

The Old Links Golf Club, Chorley Old Road, Bolton has submitted plans to demolish the existing club house, which dates back to 1926 and replace it with

14 homes.

A new club house would be built nearby with what is described as ‘modern changing and servicing facilities which will be a significant improvement over

those presently available’.

In planning documents submitted to Bolton Council, the club set out its aspirations for the future to create a ‘championship level course’.

They said: “We wish to develop a championship quality golf course for Bolton with facilities to match the quality of the course.

“Our vision is a clubhouse which is convenient to course and sympathetic to its environment in design, materials and landscape

and develop and sustain membership to maintain long term viability.

“We wish To encourage inclusivity in sport at all levels and to promote the town of Bolton to visitors and investors. ”

The plans also include a new 120 space car park and improvements to access.

Bolton Old Links Golf Club was established in 1891 and at the present Smithills site in 1896.

In 1926 the present clubhouse was created by conversion of an old hay barn and outbuildings and the course was extended and redesigned by the world renowned

golf course architect Dr Alistair McKenzie.

More recently it has been recognized as one of the top 200 courses in the UK being nominated as 63rd in the Peugeot International Golf Guide.

The club hopes to restore higher profile professional and amateur golf competitions at the course in line with those held from 1972 until 1998 when the

status of the course was downgraded by golfing organizations due to inadequate off-course facilities.

In the plans the club acknowledges the proposal depends fully on the opportunity to dispose of the existing clubhouse site to provide the necessary funds.

If planning permission were obtained they would enter into a legal agreement with the council to ensure completion of the new

clubhouse before any residential development at the existing site.

The course and grounds occupy 230 acres of undulating ground between Walker Fold Road in the west and Barrow Bridge in the east.

Bolton Council planners will deliberate on the plans at a date to be decided.