Bolton Wanderers have joined calls to build a luxury Ryder Cup standard golf course in the borough, ahead of a public inquiry into the plans.

The revised £240m plans to build a huge golf course, along with more than 1,000 houses in Over Hulton were thrown out by Bolton Councillors in February this year but have now been revived thanks to an appeal by developers Peel L&P.

The project depends on Bolton successfully winning a bid to host the Ryder Cup in 2031 or 2035, which Bolton Wanderers CEO Neil Hart says could be a “brilliant win” for the town.

He said: "The prospect of The Ryder Cup, one of the world's greatest sporting competitions coming to Bolton is extremely compelling.

“Bolton Wanderers is pleased to support this ambitious proposal, which would be a brilliant win for our town, delivering more accessible green space and new community sporting facilities.

“We therefore hope the planning appeal at forthcoming Public Inquiry is successful and we look forward to working closely with the project team over the coming months and years.”

The Bolton News:

Bolton Wanderers CEO Neil Hart

Bolton is now on a shortlist of two English venues to host the world-famous golfing tournament in 2031.

As well as the course itself and the new housing, the Hulton Park project also aims to create a new golfing academy, a primary school, a health and wellbeing hub, food and entertainment spaces, a village hall and community allotments.

The Bolton News:

The plans also include new houses and community facilities

Peel L&P director of planning and strategy Richard Knight said: “The restoration of Hulton Park is a generational investment opportunity, not only of itself, but the wider positive impact it would bring in terms of social impact for local communities around skills, health, participation and prosperity, not to mention the huge boost it would give to Bolton and its wider regeneration plans.

He added: “We are also very pleased and excited that over the summer we will be opening the gates of Hulton Park with a diverse programme of events to engage people from across the town and beyond.

“We aim to showcase the incredible potential of Hulton Park and improve people’s understanding of what we trying to do.”