RIVAL politicians have joined forces in a bid to stop a massive development on the Hulton Park Estate.

Labour MP Yasmin Qureshi and Conservative Chris Green got together yesterday afternoon to present a united front in their opposition to Peel Holdings’ controversial plans to build a Ryder Cup-standard golf course and more than 1,000 homes on green belt land in Over Hulton.

It has also been revealed that Bolton Council could pass judgement on the proposals in November, although the Government may have the final say on whether the £240 million project goes ahead.

But if it reaches the Secretary of State, Sajid Javid, Ms Qureshi said she was not hopeful about their chances of stopping the development.

She said: “I’m pessimistic because with a Conservative Secretary of State, the chances are he will give it the go ahead.

“I hope he looks at it properly.”

Mr Green criticised the council for its part in the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

He said: “There are many concerns about overdevelopment of land around Bolton especially with the proposals for the GMSF, which fortunately has been cancelled for now.

“Bolton Council has just revealed its master plan for the town centre which can be really positive, but at the same time it’s disappointing they haven’t looked after Horwich.

"They don’t care about the impact the Hulton development is going to have on local residents.

“It’s as if they are out of touch with the edge of the borough and they’re only concerned about he town centre.

“The further you get away from the centre of power the less concern it seems the powers that be have.”

Since the plans were announced earlier this year, hundreds of nearby residents have taken part in protest walks through the historic estate organised by the Hulton Estate Area Residents Together (HEART) group.

Sandra Hesketh, of HEART, set up the meeting between the two MPs.

She said: It’s not just these two. We are going to get more of the north west MPs involved.

“This is the first stage. We believe that this will go to the Secretary of State and we want our MPs on side. They are on record as being against building on green belt land.”

Ms Qureshi added: “We accept there is a need for homes but there are so many brownfield sites, developers could make them beautiful.

“It’s disgusting this Conservative government has allowed green spaces to be built on for homes but we know it’s cheaper and quicker.”

The two MPs met at the Dearden Farm in Manchester Road, which faces demolition if the plans go ahead.

Farmer Michael Partington, aged 54, was born in the farm house and worries for his family’s future if the plans are approved.

The farm is the only one in Bolton to bottle and sell its own milk, some of which is used by Mr Partington’s daughter, Fiona, who makes award-winning ice-cream for her business Milk Maids.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) had requested that Peel’s plan be called in by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Jackie Copley, CPRE Lancashire planning manager said: “The plans are in our view a ‘Trojan Horse’, seemingly presenting an option for heritage restoration when in fact the golf course re-modelling will mutilate the historic landscape of noted importance.

“The housing plans are completely imbalanced and actually prohibited in designated Green Belt which dictates that land be kept permanently open.

“We strongly hope that a more appropriate and viable option will be examined by Peel and Bolton Council to restore the park and gardens for enjoyment in the future by all.”

She added that the CPRE sees that Hulton Park plans as being of national significance in terms of setting a precedent Green Belt building policy.

Bolton Council has confirmed that the plans could come before a town hall planning committee in November, although a firm date has not been set.

A council spokesman said: “The Secretary of State has been informed of the application by the council already. We have also been informed by the Secretary of State’s department that we need to make them aware of the recommendation for this planning application.

“The earliest this application could be heard is November’s planning committee but a date has not been set yet.”

If Bolton Council officers were to recommend approval of the plans and gain the support of councillors for that recommendation, the scale and location of the proposed development would mean it would have to be referred to the Secretary of State for a final decision.

Alternatively, the application could also be refused by the council’s planning committee without referral to the Secretary of State – although Peel would have the right to appeal.

Mrs Hesketh and Mr Partington both expressed concerns about the future of food production in the face of Brexit.

Mrs Hesketh said: “Farms like this are something we should be preserving. We need to be growing our own food.”

The multi-billion pound property giant has argued that the development of Hulton Park can put Bolton ‘on the global stage’.

Richard Knight, planning director of Peel Land and Property, said last month: “Hulton Park presents Bolton with a fantastic opportunity to create a new sporting and tourism venue to attract international events. It would be the only facility of its kind in the north of England and would raise the profile of Bolton on the global stage.

“The £250 million investment would stimulate the local economy and provide a wide range of new opportunities for local people.

“It would be a truly sustainable and transformational project, through the restoration of a historic park and investment in new community infrastructure, including a new relief road and a recreational trail. It would create a positive and lasting legacy for the entire area for generations to come.”