Proposals for a sustainable new community of over 200 homes and new community green spaces on land off Victoria Road in Horwich, Bolton have been recommended for approval by Bolton Council.

The reserved matters planning application for the first two phases of development of Horwich Golf Club is expected to be determined by Bolton Council's Planning Committee on 15th September following on from the previous outline approval for the redevelopment of the Golf Course and adjoining land.

The plans have evolved following consultation with the community, Councillors and Council officers as well as local businesses to deliver a scheme that provides energy efficient homes with affordable options to support local housing needs in partnership with Bolton at Home.

The plans will also deliver significant economic benefits, including around £641,000 towards local education provision and £260,000 for off-site open space in the community, as well as a significant contribution to improve the highway network to mitigate any impact of the development on local roads in and around Horwich.

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Over 50% of the site will provide publicly accessible green space and following local feedback, the detailed plans include a larger central green corridor to help maximise this space. This will also promote wildlife with greater connectivity throughout the site for the entire community with children able to enjoy Horwich heritage-themed natural play equipment.

Woodland areas will be retained as well as created with new trees and shrubs planted. Improvements will also be made to existing watercourses including Nellie's Clough and upper fairways, bunkers and parts of the golf course’s green will be reinstated for ecological benefits.

The planned approach to Bond Close has also been amended to discourage drivers to use this as a primary access point and to minimise the ‘rat-running’ along this route, directly addressing feedback from residents.

Designed with place-making at its core, the new homes will exceed current energy-efficiency requirements by providing proven technology to lower energy bills, such as heat-save technology, intelligent heating systems and waste-limited building specifications, as well as all homes having electric vehicle charge points and photovoltaic (PV) panels.

Peel L&P acquired Horwich Golf Club in 2012. Outline planning consent was granted in September 2021 following an appeal.

Jonathan England, Development Director at Northstone, said: "We are pleased that our revised plans for Horwich Golf Club have been recommended for approval and believe this reinforces our unique approach to design and place-making and our ambition to create quality family homes that meet a range of housing needs surrounded by acres of public green space.

"We have worked very closely with the local community to develop a scheme that not only offers exemplary design but will deliver a sustainable and vibrant neighbourhood for existing and future generations and we look forward to continuing strong working relationships with local people in the future."