'Disgusted': The view-torching sea defence compound set to ruin retirement in Anchorsholme
PLUS: Update of £1.5m town centre Prosperity Fund
Hello and welcome to The Blackpool Lead.
This week we update you on plans to build a sea defence compound at Little Bispham - plans that are opposed by residents who have retired to the area with the view specifically in mind.
The online petition has now generated more responses than Blackpool Council’s own consultation process, which is problematic if decisions are then taken on the back of that consultation.
We also have an update on £1.5m of government cash and how it will be spent with the aim of improving Blackpool.
Thank you for your continued support of our independent journalism. It’s through paid subscriptions that we are best placed to support those affected by plans like those at Little Bispham.
Hundreds sign petition objecting to plans for sea defence compound at Anchorsholme
By Michael Holmes
Hundreds of people have signed a petition objecting to plans for a sea defence compound to be built opposite flats at Anchorsholme.
Last month, The Blackpool Lead told of the concerns of pensioners living at Wilvere Court, who face having their sea view replaced by heavy machinery and huge boulders behind new hoardings.
Their fears are now being voiced formally - with many non-residents also adding their names to an online petition, which had gathered 375 signatures at the time of writing.
It was started by Carol Orme, 63, who moved to her Promenade home with her husband Stuart, 67, last year.
Stuart told The Blackpool Lead previously: “We are absolutely disgusted. We only moved here eight or nine months ago to this specific building because of the area, because of the view.
“We are from Manchester, an urban area, so to move here was a dream. To be told we will now have a building site outside the front is gobsmacking.”
Stuart added: “We are not opposed to the sea defences, just the compound that they are going to build.”
Launching the petition on change.org, Carol wrote: “All residents within Wilvere Court are opposed to this compound being erected, including elderly residents, many of whom do not leave their homes very often and their only view of the outside world is from their front window.
“If planning permission is granted, their only view would be traffic, passing trams and a large wooden fence housing equipment and high stacks of boulders, which will cause unnecessary stress and upset for everyone.”
She added: “Please register your objection by signing this petition or with your local councillor/MP who are aware of the issue. The more people that contact them, the greater impact it will have.
“Local residents may take direct action to gain publicity. If you would like to be involved, register your interest by emailing wilverecourt@yahoo.com.”
The site, part of an £11m scheme to address sand levels, is said to be needed to protect homes and halt coastal erosion.
But, months after a retired hotelier said she fears she will die before being able to see the beach from her ground-floor home on Queen’s Promenade because of blue hoardings that have already been there a decade, plans emerged for more unsightly fences close by.
They will put up on the grass opposite Wilvere Court to store the equipment needed to build rock groynes on the nearby sand.
The Blackpool Lead spoke to a number of residents last month. As well as their anger and concern at losing their sea view, they also told of concerns around noise and light pollution - and called for another location to be used.
Margaret Milner, 80, moved to her first-floor flat last year from Ramsbottom, leaving the home she shared with her husband Gordon after he died in 2016 at the age of 78. She had fond memories of Wilvere Court, where her parents once lived, and was attracted by the western sunsets visible from her balcony.
She said: “It’s a fantastic view. They say you don’t buy the view but you do. You feel like you are on your holiday.”
After signing the petition, Wendy Hopper wrote: “I feel strongly for the opposing of this green space to be used for a number of reasons.
“One, the residents facing this 'little' amount of green space is invaluable for their well being on a daily basis.
“Two, I personally ride my bike along this stretch every day to Red Bank Road and I also walk it when the weather is unfit to ride. I personally love the fresh air of being along this stretch and taking in the views out to sea to being able to sit in the shelter's taking a rest.”
Damian Kay added: “I live nearby and use the green spaces on a daily basis. Blackpool Council/Illuminations committee have already fenced off 70% of green space between St Stephen’s Avenue and Red Bank Road for the illuminations.
“These fences are up for 42 out of 52 weeks of the year and then it can’t be used as they’ve damaged it by driving heavy machinery over the grass taking down the Illuminations/fencing.
“How much more of the green space on the seafront are they going to prevent the public from being able to use?”
And Sarah Plummer said: “My mum is housebound. She lives in a ground-floor flat in Wilvere Court. If this scheme goes ahead her quality of life will be severely affected. Her view of the cliff path is her daily lifeline. I can’t express how upset, anxious and distresses (sic) she is about this. The family are wanting to plead that this scheme doesn’t go ahead.”
Funding for the original Anchorsholme sea defence work was approved in 2013.
During building work, it became apparent that more was needed at the headland area, with the Environment Agency approving it in 2016.
After a storm in 2017, a defect was spotted, “which the contractor agreed to address, at their expense, by providing rock armour along the revetment wall”, the council said.
It said in a press release: “Over the last two years, exploratory works have been carried out to inform the outline business case for coast protection and beach management along the coastline.
“These investigations have identified accelerated beach lowering in Anchorsholme. In order to retain the beach and sand, it is proposed that groynes are installed during the construction period for the rock armour works to the revetment wall.
“The groynes will act as headlands to trap and retain natural onshore supply of sand. They will also stabilise and retain upper beach at toe of revetment as well as the immediate foreshore area.”
A town hall spokesperson said in response to the petition: “We recently undertook a consultation into the Anchorsholme Coast Protection Scheme during which residents were asked to submit their views on the proposals.
“More than 100 responses were received. These are now being considered ahead of the planning application being submitted. We appreciate residents taking the time to provide feedback.
“Once the planning application is submitted, residents will be able to view and comment on the final proposals. These comments will be considered by the council’s planning committee as part of the decision-making process.
“The Anchorsholme Coast Protection Scheme will provide flood protection to 5,000 properties. This work is part of an ongoing long-term coastal management strategy that was established by the council in 2012.
“Blackpool Council and Balfour Beatty are committed to keeping disruption, noise and traffic congestion to a minimum throughout construction.”
Improved lighting and greenery for town centre
By Shelagh Parkinson
Improved lighting and greening up of parts of the town centre are among the schemes funded by £1.5m of government cash.
Blackpool Council received the money from the Shared Prosperity Fund with all projects having to be delivered by March this year. It is from a total pot of £5m allocated to the town from the fund in 2022.
An update of how the cash has been spent was given to a meeting of the Blackpool Town Deal Board.
Spending includes £240,000 towards the Abingdon St Market refurbishment, plus a contribution of £200,000 towards the upgrade of the Stanley Buildings on Caunce Street.
This is being used to fund the renovation of nine shop units on the ground floor of the site, which is being transformed into a small business hub using a combination of £4.5m from Blackpool’s Town Deal and £2.8m from the council.
Other schemes funded through the Shared Prosperity Fund include a town centre pedestrian wayfinding plan to direct people and link up different areas.
The cash has also helped pay for town centre events including Lightpool and the Monster Hunt last autumn and the staging of the UK Capital of Dance events last June and July.
Lighting is also being improved on Church and Corporation Street, and on
Coronation Street up to Albert Road including the plaza in front of The Backlot Cinema and Dier with film-related lighting.
A strategy to provide more greenery in the town centre is also being developed including areas near the Houndshill Shopping Centre, Backlot Cinema and on Topping Street and Deansgate.
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Things to do in Blackpool from 13 January
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