The auction was on Friday, it had a guide price of about 650k, if he has managed to buy it should be easier to get change of use planning consent than development of a green field site as at Wrightington, in this case the site already has building development on the site.
If he has bought the land it could also be for other reasons, the land at Wrightington was always earmarked to become a golf course by David Whelan, linked to the hotel and country club, an of shore trust owns the land, but despite 20 years trying he was never able to get PP.
Perhaps the Charnock Richard golf club could also become a new hotel/golf complex.