FRESH plans to build a luxury golf resort and new homes in an historic Bolton park are being launched today.

Last summer, the Government approved plans for more than 1,000 homes, a hotel and a golf course to be built on Hulton Park Estate - on condition it wins a bid to host the Ryder Cup in 2031 or 2035.

Landowners Peel L&P now have a refreshed vision,which ‘seeks to breathe new life’ into the historic park through extra community facilities, and walking and cycling routes.

Developers say more than 1,000 new jobs could be created if the Ryder Cup bid is successful.

Since securing planning permission, the project team has reviewed feedback from the local community to consider how it can ‘better reflect local aspirations’ for Hulton Park.

Proposed changes to the plans include a health and wellbeing centre and a community food and drink hub - as well as an adventure golf course, a driving range and a primary school.

Fewer homes are proposed in the green belt, more of which would be retained as parkland for the benefit of the environment, according to project bosses.

And there is a commitment from Peel L&P to ensure at least 10 per cent of the properties are affordable housing.

A new road would be created to the west, providing a direct link from the M61 Junction 5 through the estate towards Atherton, which Peel L&P hopes will ease congestion in Westhoughton.

Richard Knight, Peel L&P’s director of land and communities, said: “We recognise the importance of access to the Hulton Park Estate and our refreshed vision aims to ensure that local people are able to enjoy the Park in a way they have never been able to and for generations to come.

“Our ambition is to create the best new lifestyle community in the UK and Europe, embracing the principles of zero-carbon, connectivity and inclusivity. The plans present a unique opportunity to deliver an iconic modern sporting venue, visitor destination and parkland community fit for the 21st century.”

Though final plans are still awaited, Mr Knight says the project, not including the housing developments, will require around £200m of investment - and the Ryder Cup bid would bring £1.8bn to the British economy.

Pete Styles, who has worked on the Ryder Cup bid, said: “There is definitely a perception around golf - and we are trying to introduce people from all backgrounds into the sport. That’s why we now have plans for a driving range, as well as an adventure golf course, to provide a fun family day out.”

The new plans will still be strongly opposed by members of the community, according to a local activist.

David Chadwick, chairman of Hulton Estate Area Residents Together (HEART), says that the group ‘will fight tooth and nail’ to ensure that the plans do not go ahead.

He said: “We will wait with bated breath to find out whether the Ryder Cup bid is successful - but I sincerely hope it doesn’t and I know that a lot of local people feel the same. We have not been involved in any discussion about these new plans so far but we will be making our voices heard in the new consultation.”

Cllr Toby Hewitt (Hulton) added: “It’s good to see that Peel L&P is willing to consult with local people. But from speaking to locals, it’s clear that many people are worried about the housing element of the plans - partly because they will be building on green belt land.”

The consultation runs until June 23 at www.hultonparkconsultation.co.uk