‘Levelling Cup’: Hulton Park in Bolton down to last two potential venues for English Ryder Cup

Hulton Park in Bolton is now one of only two venues shortlisted to host the English Ryder Cup in 2031 with Peel L&P’s proposals for the estate helping to support the Government’s vision to bring major sporting events to the UK to help level up the country.  

The news comes as a revised Planning Committee date has been confirmed of 24 February, with decisions expected through the spring over the selection of a Ryder Cup venue.  

The proposals represent a huge opportunity for Bolton and the North West to secure long-term economic prosperity worth £1.6bn overall.  

Peel L&P’s proposals for the restoration of Hulton Park would open up the estate to the public for the first time in its 700-year history and create 1,000 jobs and apprenticeships.  

The vision is to create a world-class sport and healthy living destination capable of hosting the Ryder Cup alongside a golfing academy, new primary school, new community facilities and a mix of housing to suit different needs and community facilities.  

In the Levelling Up White Paper issued last week, the Government confirmed that it has ‘commissioned UK Sport to lead feasibility work on the prospect of bringing major sporting events to the UK. This work will focus on opportunities outside London - supporting and underpinning the ambition to level up the UK.’ 

Richard Knight, Peel L&P’s Director of Planning & Strategy said: “The selection of Hulton Park as a potential venue for the Ryder Cup is now a very realistic and exciting prospect and we hope that the council will seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity and support our efforts to bring this prestigious event – and all the benefits that flow from it – to Bolton. 

“Our revised proposals for Hulton Park are a great fit with the Government’s Levelling Up missions and it’s good to see the importance placed on sport and health in the White Paper to help balance regional and local inequalities. 

“The development of Hulton Park is transformational for the area and would also act as a catalyst to regeneration for Bolton and surrounding parts of Greater Manchester.  

“And, with decisions due over the coming weeks, this is a project that can help speed up delivery for the Government.” 

As part of its Levelling Up White Paper, the Government also wants to improve people’s physical activity and wellbeing making sport part of people’s lives.  

Over 15.6km of public paths, cycleways and trails, community allotments, a health and wellbeing hub and biodiversity improvements planned for Hulton Park will help with this.  

Peel L&P will also deliver part of a link road between Bolton & Wigan to help improve transport routes through Westhoughton and are working with local people and the Pretoria Memorial Association to create a memorial for the Pretoria Pit mining disaster in 1910. 

Richard added: “Culture, heritage, sport and reducing health inequalities are all things the Government recognises are needed in helping to level up the country and Hulton Park can deliver in all these areas with a focus on net zero, biodiversity, environmental enhancements and inclusivity too.  

“Bringing the Ryder Cup to Bolton would help to unlock all of these opportunities and we hope people will see the potential to create something very special here that would bring huge benefits.  

“As a North West-based regeneration business with decades of experience including the transformation of places like Salford Quays, we are greatly excited by the upcoming decisions for Hulton Park.” 

Ryder Cup timings: 

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will consider the shortlist and the recommendations of the UK Sport and the European Tour and is expected to select the preferred English venue for the Ryder Cup 2031 in April 2022. 

The Government’s bid to host the Ryder Cup will then be submitted to the European Tour, ahead of a decision in July 2022.