Secretary of State grants planning permission for a championship golf course and over 1,000 new homes
Last week Robert Jenrick, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, granted planning permission for a new golf resort designed to host the Ryder Cup in either 2031 or 2035 and over 1,000 new homes overlooking it.
Bolton Council had resolved to grant planning permission for the scheme in Spring 2019, but it was called-in by the Secretary of State due to its location in the Greater Manchester green belt. The course will be built at Hulton Park, which is also a registered park and garden.
Quod’s Emma Lancaster acted for the local planning authority, appearing as their sole expert witness at the public inquiry and giving evidence on housing land supply and delivery, the heritage planning balance and green belt matters, including the Applicant’s “very special circumstances” case.
The Ryder Cup tournament is expected to bring over £1.1 billion GVA to the area, as well as a wide range of other socio-economic benefits. In coming to her recommendation to the Secretary of State, the Inspector explicitly preferred Emma’s evidence on several key matters, including her approach to green belt harm and housing delivery.
