DEVELOPER Peel L&P has submitted revised proposals for the Hulton Park Estate saying it has listened to the concerns of local people.
It says the redevelopment will create a new international sports destination and resort, bring a wide range of benefits to the are, create more than 1,000 jobs and provide a mix of much-needed housing.
In a statement announcing its new planning application to Bolton Council, Peel said: "The new plans incorporate a number of important changes designed to better reflect local aspirations for Hulton Park, in particular ambitions to make the scheme more sustainable, inclusive, accessible and to create more new community facilities for local people."
However, local community group Hulton Estate Area Residents Together (HEART), have said they are still against the plans.
Peel says that in response to comments around housing numbers and access to green spaces, the masterplan has been designed to "significantly reduce" the number of homes on Green Belt compared to an earlier approved scheme. The aim is to create 1,036 new homes.
It says that its masterplan will also unlock a range of new facilities and includes allotments, a new village hall for Over Hulton, a health and wellbeing hub and 'Chequerbent Barns', a flexible food and drink venue.
A proposed new road would deliver a direct link from the M61 Junction five through the estate towards Atherton, to ease congestion in Westhoughton.
The proposals are dependent upon securing the rights to host the Ryder Cup in 2031 or 2035, for which the proposed venue has been shortlisted, with a decision due in early 2022. Peel says the redevelopment will be worth at least £1.6bn overall to the wider region.
In 2018, Peel secured Bolton Councils' approval for its plans for the park and the creation of a championship-grade golf course, complete with a luxury hotel and new homes.
The application, which attracted vocal opposition, was called in and approved by the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government last year, subject to Hulton Park winning the Ryder Cup.
Richard Knight, Peel L&P's director of land and communities, said: "These new plans for Hulton Park have been developed in close consultation with the local community and a number of changes and additions have been made as a result of that feedback.
"We recognise there remains some local concern around the project. Many issues were fully dealt with through the previous inquiry, but we have now taken time to listen and reflect on those concerns and make a number of changes.
"The revised masterplan is a big improvement on a scheme that has already been approved by both Bolton Council and the UK government, so with many of the principles already accepted, we hope to receive a positive decision and we will continue working with local partners towards positive outcomes for the local area."
Peel L&P reflects on community feedback in finalising plans for Hulton Park.
Following a public consultation and the establishment of a Community Liaison Group for Hulton Park, Peel L&P is making further changes to its proposals, prior to submitting a revised planning application to Bolton Council.
These changes, which are based on local feedback, include:
- Delivery of a new village hall for the Over Hulton community
- Provision of allotments for the local community
- Further access into the historic parkland for the local community, with additional routes for cyclists and walkers
- Creation of a young people's strategy to maximise the opportunities of the project for current and future young people in the area
In response to feedback regarding previous consultations, the Community Liaison Group has been set up to improve channels of communication between Peel L&P and local representatives and will help local people to access information, ask questions and share their views on the revised Hulton Park scheme.
Two Community Liaison Group meetings have now taken place, bringing together a range of community groups, as well as elected members. The Community Liaison Group will meet on a regular basis as the project progresses, providing local representatives with a clear means of communication on the proposals and the opportunity to directly raise issues and concerns.
Peel L&P is also now considering the feedback received from the local community during a public consultation undertaken in June 2021.
The refreshed plans were designed to respond positively to views expressed during earlier consultations and the public inquiry held in 2019, in particular comments on housing and Green Belt, transport infrastructure, demand for access to nature and leisure spaces and the increased emphasis on community wellbeing. New aspects of the scheme include a health and wellbeing hub and Chequerbent Barns, a flexible food and drink venue for the community capable of hosting events such as markets and food festivals.
Around 600 submissions of feedback were received during the public consultation from local residents, the wider community and business groups across Bolton, reflecting the significant levels of interest in the scheme locally.
Karen Edwards, Charity Chief Executive Officer at Bolton Lads & Girls Club said: "We look forward to continuing the Community Liaison Group meetings as the plans for Hulton Park develop. As a youth club and registered charity based in Bolton, we are proud to represent young people across the Borough and we will work to make sure that the development incorporates facilities that support young people's mental and physical wellbeing."
Richard Knight, Director of Land and Communities at Peel L&P, said: "We want to thank everyone that has taken the time to participate in the public consultation on our refreshed vision for Hulton Park.
"The feedback has provided a range of interesting views and ideas that we have been carefully considering before submitting a planning application to Bolton Council. The Council will undertake its own formal consultation on the plans once we have submitted them, to provide residents with a further opportunity to share their views.
"We are also pleased that a number of local organisations and community representatives are engaging with the project through the Community Liaison Group. This has already provided some invaluable insights that we are now reflecting through further changes to the proposals. We are committed to working with local people to make the proposals as inclusive, accessible and sustainable as we can, and we hope that this forum will provide for genuine and open dialogue moving forward."
A public consultation on the refreshed proposals launched on Wednesday 2nd June and concluded on Wednesday 30th.
Residents can continue to contact the team via the methods listed on the consultation website: https://hultonparkconsultation.co.uk/.