Ambitious plans for central Blackpool transformation are under way
PLUS: Forever-chemical testing to resume on the Fylde Coast
Hello and welcome to The Blackpool Lead.
Earlier this year, we dug into the 32-page document that outlined plans for central Blackpool in a way that other news organisations simply didn’t. As a result, it was one of our most-read articles.
Today we return to that topic as we reveal that work has officially started on putting those plans into action - although it will (as most things do) take years to see the results.
We also report on the news that ‘higher priority’ soil testing is to take place in a long-running investigation into forever chemicals in Thornton-Cleveleys.
It will take years - but the transformation of central Blackpool has started
By Michael Holmes
Ambitious plans to transform swathes of central Blackpool - one of the country’s poorest areas - are under way.
Town hall bosses have started acquiring homes, agreeing to buy 149 Central Drive at market value, and will next week decide whether they should stop re-letting authority-owned flats in Salthouse Avenue and Kent Road so they can eventually be flattened.
Cllr Neal Brookes, deputy council leader, told The Blackpool Lead: “Activity for phase one of the Central housing regeneration scheme is now well under way.
“We are proceeding with the acquisition of some properties and land in the area and are hoping to acquire more over time, demonstrating progress and commitment to regenerating this area.
“We hope to see acquisitions increase over the coming weeks and months as this phase of the regeneration programme takes shape.”
He continued: “We are proposing to bring additional buildings, currently owned by Blackpool Council, into phase one and also suspend the re-letting of these properties.
“Including them in the scheme will ensure a more joined-up redevelopment and provide residents with the support they need to move into good-quality, secure homes.
“It is an important step in our mission to transform housing in central Blackpool, making Blackpool a better place to live.
“This critical regeneration programme is about creating stronger communities, improving housing and delivering a better future for our town.”
The central Blackpool regeneration scheme will take years to pull off but the end result will be a “desirable and sustainable neighbourhood that celebrates Blackpool’s unique heritage and setting”, the council’s masterplan promises.
Guesthouses-cum-bedsits and run-down terraced homes are set to be replaced by new, energy-efficient homes and green spaces - which it is hoped will lead to less crime, healthier residents, less overcrowding in the private rented sector and less homelessness.
Earlier this year, The Blackpool Lead covered a 32-page document outlining the local authority’s aspirations for the area, which was picked ahead of others in the resort because it needs a drastic overhaul the most - and has “the worst combination of social, economic and demographic deprivation” in the town.
Taxpayers’ cash, believed to be made up of £90.4m announced by the government last March, will initially be used to drive the massive project in the hope early efforts - which will include buying land and property, demolition, designing and holding public consultations - will encourage private investment, which would “demonstrate that we have succeeded in changing the local housing market”, documents say.
Dodgy landlords will also be targeted.
Last month, the council’s assistant CEO Alan Cavill agreed to buy 149 Central Drive, at the junction with Princess Street, for an undisclosed sum.
“The acquisition of the property will be for the benefit of the area in that it will improve and develop the area by providing the council with assets which will enable delivery of the housing regeneration programme,” Kate Aldridge, head of corporate delivery performance and commissioning, said in a report.
The authority intends to buy a string of properties as part of the regeneration scheme, Aldridge added, with negotiations held via Jones Lang LaSalle, a US-based real estate company.
The report continues: “Once other assets have been acquired to unlock the future development of the area, it is intended (to) demolish the properties.
“Until such time that the properties are required for regeneration, it is intended to keep them vacant and secure.”
The council’s executive will meet on Monday to discuss including blocks of flats in Salthouse Avenue and Kent Road - and a building at the corner of Central Drive and Rigby Road - within the regeneration area phase one scheme boundary.
Councillors will decide on plans to stop re-letting the flats until they are empty - before demolishing them.
The move would impact those living in the 12 flats in Salthouse Avenue and Kent Road, with nine currently occupied and 11 classed as sheltered accommodation.
Residents have been contacted by Blackpool Coastal Housing, papers say.
“They have been made aware of the proposals and will be appropriately supported through subsequent relocation to ensure they are suitably rehoused with secure tenancy,” the documents add.
“An early needs assessment of each resident will be undertaken to understand individual circumstances and to identify as soon as possible if additional support is required.”
The council will lose out on rent but save money on maintenance, with figures suggesting a loss of about £141,000 over the next five years and £755,000 over the next 30.
“A key objective of this housing-led regeneration activity will ultimately be the creation of a sustainable legacy for the community of Blackpool,” the report continues.
Drop-in sessions for those directly affected by the plans will be held at the Ibbison Community Centre from 4pm-6pm on Tuesday (October 14) and at Revoe Children’s Centre from 9am-3pm on Wednesday October 22.
Some drop-in sessions have already been held, the council said.
A planning application is expected to be submitted before the winter.
Blackpool briefing
🚔 A woman has been jailed after snatching a seven-month-old baby in a pram from outside a shop in Blackpool. Nicolette Goldrick, 51, was caught on camera as she snatched the baby in its pram while her mother’s back was turned in Central Drive, near to Coral Island, on May 10. Full story.
🇬🇧 Something a bit different from our usual recommendations - Novara Media spoke with seven friends who travelled from Blackpool to Liverpool for the Labour Party conference with immigration chief among their concerns. Is there even a way for Labour to win them over? That’s what they looked at.
🕹️ The UK’s longest running and most popular retro games expo returned for its 15th year over the weekend. The Gazette has a look at the images provided by Replay Events.
Investigations into ‘forever chemicals’ that cause cancer continue in Thornton-Cleveleys
By Jamie Lopez
More checks are being carried out on soil in an area of land where carcinogenic ‘forever chemicals’ were found.
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