Developers have been given the greenlight to build a new housing estate on a golf course.

Northstone will build 208 energy-efficient homes at the site off Victoria Road, Horwich.

Bolton Council planning committee gave permission to the proposals after initially rejecting them, with developers winning on appeal.

Peel Investments (North) Ltd and Northstone, their housing division, appealed decisions by Bolton’s planning bosses to reject the outline housing bids ­— and the Planning Inspectorate ruled in favour of the developers.

Horwich Golf Club housing plans approved after appeal

Work on the estate is set to start early next year.

A total of 71 affordable homes will be built and the estate will have large green areas.

Developers said that planned estate had 'sustainability at its core', with the new homes will help to lower energy bills, such as heat-save technology and intelligent heating systems.

The homes will also have electric vehicle charge points.

Development Director at Northstone, Jonathan England, said: “We’re pleased that our revised plans for Horwich Golf Club have been approved and believe this reinforces our unique approach to design and place-making.

“Our whole approach is to create quality family homes that meet a range of housing needs, set within acres of public green space.
“We’re committed to raising the bar when it comes to new build homes, none more so than in Bolton.”

Previous objections to the plans included concerns around flooding in the area as well as the trees not being retained, raised by Stocks Residents’ Association.

Since then, Northstone confirmed woodland areas will be retained as well as created, with new trees and shrubs set to be planted as well as improvements to be made to existing watercourses.

Around 50 per cent of the site will be accessible green space and, say developers, following local feedback, the detailed plans include a larger central green corridor to help maximise this green space.

Elsewhere on the site, the planned approach to nearby Bond Close has also been amended to discourage ‘rat-running’ along this route, after residents complained of this.

Under the plans £641,000 contribution will go towards education provision and £260,000 for open space in the community.

Peel L&P acquired Horwich Golf Club in 2012 and helped to keep the struggling business operating until an alternative use for the site was agreed.

Outline planning consent was granted in September 2021 following an appeal.