Northstone’s plans for a sustainable and vibrant new community in Horwich have been given the go ahead by Bolton Council.
The Council’s Planning Committee has approved Northstone’s plans for 208 energy-efficient homes at the site off Victoria Road, with the community set to include 71 affordable homes and expansive new green spaces for new and existing local residents.
Northstone, part of Peel L&P, submitted the reserved matters planning application for the first two phases of redevelopment of Horwich Golf Club earlier this year.
Designed with placemaking and sustainability at its core, the new homes will exceed standard energy efficiency requirements by providing proven technology to lower energy bills, such as heat-save technology, intelligent heating systems and waste-limited building specifications. The homes will also have electric vehicle charge points and photovoltaic (PV) panels.
It’s expected that work will start on site in early 2023. Northstone is already delivering sustainable new communities in Bolton, with homes for sale at the recently-launched Airie, off St Helen’s Road, and Silkash in Westhoughton.
Speaking following the Committee, Jonathan England, Development Director at Northstone, said: “We’re pleased that our revised plans for Horwich Golf Club have been approved and believe this reinforces our unique approach to design and place-making. Our whole approach is to create quality family homes that meet a range of housing needs, set within acres of public green space.
“We’re committed to raising the bar when it comes to new-build homes, none more so than in Bolton. We’ve recently won awards for our efforts to have a positive and sustainable impact on the communities where we work.”
The plans for Horwich evolved following extensive consultation with the community, politicians, the Council and 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.
Around 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 green 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 set to be planted; improvements to be made to existing watercourses including Nellie’s Clough; and the upper fairway, bunkers and green to be replanted for ecological benefits.
Jonathan England added: “We’ve worked really 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. We look forward to continuing strong working relationships with local people in the future.
“We’re pleased to have been able to demonstrate our commitment to being a good neighbour and important partner in Bolton over the coming months and years ahead.”
Elsewhere on the site, the planned approach to Bond Close has also been amended to discourage drivers to use this as a primary access point and to minimise ‘rat-running’ along this route, directly addressing feedback from residents.
The revised plans will also deliver significant economic benefits, including around £641,000 towards local education provision and £260,000 for offsite open space in the community, as well as a significant contribution to improve the highway network to mitigate the impact of the development on local roads in and around Horwich.
Peel L&P acquired Horwich Golf Club in 2012 and helped to keep the struggling business operating until an alternative use for the site was agreed. Outline planning consent was granted in September 2021 following an appeal.
Header image ©Northstone
