A highly anticipated £250 million leisure complex development in Bolton will see the iconic Grade-II listed Hulton Park Estate transformed into a new sporting venue with the capacity to host international sporting events like golf’s largest tournament, the prestigious Ryder Cup. Peel L&P, developers of the regeneration scheme, are a family-run business who have a track record of success throughout the UK for over 50 years. Focussed especially in the north west of England, Peel takes great pride in the powerful legacy that their progressive projects leave behind. The regeneration division of Peel Group, Peel L&P recognise their fortune at having “had the opportunity to reimagine some of the country’s historic assets” and Hulton Estate is no exception to this rule – the estate has prominently featured in Lancashire’s landscape for over 700 years, where the Hulton family built up the Estate to comprise several villages.[i]
Although the proposed project sparked some opposition from the local community, a public inquiry has now ruled in favour of the proposals, meaning that Peel L&P can progress with their plans. Having won the appeal, the government approved proposal of the luxury golf course is now underway, comprising over 1,000 homes, a hotel and a new road to the west linking the development to the M61.
Defending the project Richard Knight, Director of Planning & Strategy at Peel, rightly highlights that the development will help to deliver levelling-up targets and bring much-needed investment and housing to the area. In fact, estimates predict that a colossal £1.6 billion will be generated for Bolton. The planned Hulton Park Championship ground will also create over 1000 new jobs if it is successful in its bid to host the Ryder Cup in 2031 or 2035 – one condition for the development.[ii]
The Hulton Park Championship ground is currently in a two-horse race with Kent’s London Club, fighting for England’s bid to host the biennial face-off between the USA and Europe.
What would the Ryder Cup mean for Bolton?
Hosting the Ryder Cup would place Bolton on the map globally, since the event attracts millions of fans every two years. The developers – true to their reputation of leaving a legacy – hope to inspire future generations by creating a ‘golf academy’ for children on the site.[iii] This short adventure course will take approximately an hour to play and would be free for school children – engaging locals in the development while encouraging physical activity from a young age.
If the London Olympics of 2012 has proven anything, it is that the redevelopment of a region’s infrastructure remains to better the community long after the event’s close. Bolton would undoubtedly benefit through improved transport links and restored history both increasing tourist appeal.[iv]
Peel also wish for Hulton Park to be an inclusive space for disabled users. Professional golfer Pete Styles has worked on the project, speaking to England Golf’s Diversity and Inclusion team to ensure this goal. The course will attract disabled people through acquiring the Paragolfer – a state-of-the-art vehicle which enables wheelchair users to replicate the full golf experience. They also envisage those from the BAME and working-class communities becoming involved with golf, revolutionizing the sport to lose its somewhat exclusive reputation to date.
Despite promises that the host of the 2031 Ryder Cup would be announced in July 2022, the decision still is yet to be revealed. I’m sure I’m not alone in hoping that the north west is successful in this ambitious and exciting aspiration.
[i] “Discover our history,” Hulton Park Happenings, https://hultonparkhappenings.co.uk/our-history/#Article4
[ii] Ben Parsons, “Bolton’s ambitious bid to host Ryder Cup back on after inquiry ruling on £250m project” Mirror https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/golf/ryder-cup-golf-news-bolton-28325754 25 Oct 2022.
[iii] Thomas Molloy, “What a Ryder Cup would actually mean for Bolton according to those behind ambitious bid,” Manchester Evening News, https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/what-ryder-cup-would-actually-21101504 27 Sep 2021.
[iv] Ibid.
