Pensioners who bought seafront homes set to lose their view indefinitely
PLUS: Are Blackpool's heritage trams at risk? And devolution latest
Hello and welcome to another midweek edition of The Blackpool Lead.
Today we tell the story of pensioners who have taken up properties at Anchorsholme specifically with the sea view in mind - only to lose it as the council sets up shop.
The work they will be doing is not inconsequential. It’s part of an £11m scheme designed to protect homes, including theirs, from coastal erosion.
But for those who are in those flats, the sea defence compound takes away their fantastic view - the primary reason many of them bought the flats.
And it’s raised questions over whether the seafront is the most appropriate site for these compounds. Earlier this year, a retired hotelier at Queen’s Promenade blocked off by a similar site said she expected to die before her view came back.
Her view has been blocked for a decade.
We also have the latest of plans to suspend Blackpool’s heritage trams and the concerns that has raised among those who value them so highly.
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Pensioners living in seafront flats at Anchorsholme have hit out at plans to build a new sea defence compound - complete with large hoardings - between their homes and the beach for an indeterminate length of time.
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 have 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.
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 told The Blackpool Lead: “It’s a fantastic view. They say you don’t buy the view but you do. You feel like you are on your holiday.”
Margaret said she learned about plans for the new compound from a neighbour who saw boards in Brew Café in the nearby Anchorsholme Park - before the council sent her a letter inviting her to a meeting with a representative from infrastructure firm Balfour Beatty, the firm chosen by town hall bosses to carry out the work.
Despite being told construction will start in the summer, depending on planning permission and marine licences, and be finished in 2027, she remains “cynical” - saying: “I think it will be there for a long time. It could be another 10 years.”
A council spokesperson told The Blackpool Lead: “The additional compound will be erected once planning permission has been granted. This is expected to be summer 2025.”
But they admitted: “In respect of removal, the compound could be removed in spring 2027, however it may also be required for a future coastal protection scheme located south of the current scheme.”
Margaret said the sales of two flats at Wilvere Court have fallen through because of the plans and called on officials to reconsider the placement of the compound, suggesting it could instead be built on Princes Way, reducing, she argued, the impact on residents.
“I’m angry,” she said. “One of the things about buying the flat was the outlook. There’s quite a few elderly people who can’t get out. There’s a lady upstairs who is 94 and she just about gets across the road. She said there will be no point now.”
Dianne McKnight, 76, and her husband Frank, 75, moved to Wilvere Court in October after plans were lodged to build opposite their Thornton bungalow.
“We were joking about nothing being built opposite now,” she said. “Ha! Wrong.
“People buy these apartments because of the beautiful views. We chose our apartment for the view and quality of life.”
Dianne said there is “plenty of ‘rough land’ nearby” that could be used for a compound instead and also fears the hoarding will be there longer than planned.
She said: “After this they are talking about doing stuff going towards North Pier. Will they keep this there for that? I don’t know.”
Dianne now plans to research covenants to see if the plans can be stopped.
She added: “I spoke to someone at the council and he said, ‘What are you on about? We are going to cover it (the fencing) in murials (sic)’.”
The council spokesperson said: “We are considering options for the design of the solid perimeter fencing. No decision has yet been made. We’ll be having further consultation with residents regarding the design.
“Some residents also suggested changing the solid wooden compound fencing to open mesh. We thank residents for this suggestion, and for all the comments and suggestions made during the consultation. Unfortunately, noise from operations taking place inside the compound needs to be mitigated with a solid material.”
He went on: “Several alternative locations for the compound were considered.
“One of these was Princes Way, but this was ruled out. There is not enough room on Princes Way to manoeuvre articulated lorries and other heavy machinery.
“Articulated lorries would need to enter the site at the traffic lights adjacent to Little Bispham tram stop and exit the site to the north, with the resulting congestion at the traffic lights not considered safe for road users, pedestrians or trams. Furthermore, the closure of the road could cause much disruption to people to walk, cycle, drive or park on Princes Way.
“A second alternative that was considered was the existing compound at Jubilee Gardens. This was ruled out as it is currently being used for a scheme in Wyre until the end of 2025. In addition, the travel time for material and machinery to reach Anchorsholme would reduce the available working time, prolonging the cost and duration of the scheme.”
They continued: “One alternative suggested by residents during the consultation was the grass area at Anchorsholme Park. This option has been considered by the council and the contractors Balfour Beatty. Whilst the area could be used to store rock, it would require Princes Way to be closed to allow heavy vehicles to safely manoeuvre in and out of the compound.”
Stuart Orme, 67, who lives in the flats with his wife Carol, 63, said: “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.”
Nina Parker, who is in her 60s, moved to Wilvere Court two years ago “because of the beautiful location”.
Of the council’s compound ambitions, she said: “We learned by accident when a neighbour called in the cafe and saw the plans. We had not been informed before then.
“Just over a week before the closing date (of a public consultation), we got a letter from the council through the door, so we were informed very, very late.”
The town hall spokesperson said: “The consultation on the council’s website went live on October 31. The boards went on display in the Brew Cafe at Anchorsholme Park on November 13 and were in the cafe until December 2.
“The letter drop took place between November 13-17. The letter was delivered to approximately 560 properties close to the proposed scheme. The consultation ended on November 29.
“As well as the letter drop, residents were informed of the consultation via the council’s social media channels, a media release (and) a news piece on the council’s website. The consultation also featured in the October 31 edition of e-Your Blackpool (and e-newsletter delivered to over 35,000 email addresses) and our quarterly Your Blackpool newsletter which was delivered to 70,000 households in Blackpool from November 18.
“Residents were invited to the Brew Cafe to meet members of the construction team and representatives from the council on November 18 and 27. Over 120 members of the public came to these sessions to discuss the plans and ask questions.”
Nina said: “I think (the compound) will have a disastrous effect on the 36 residents in our block of flats. There’s going to be a huge amount of noise from very early morning and we are going to have floodlights on nights for security.
“It’s really going to have a big impact on the value of our properties. The current compound by the tram stop has been up for 10 years and is likely to be up for another four, so this could be up for 15 years or so, which could be the lifespan of some residents.”
The council said the floodlights are needed for security - though plans for personnel to protect the site have yet to be developed - but promised that the lights “will be positioned in such a way as to avoid disturbing adjacent residential properties”.
Alison Fairbank, 59, bought her flat in 2016 and used it as a holiday home, travelling from Huddersfield, before moving permanently last May.
She said: “I’m a bit disappointed, to be honest, because I did not see this coming, although I have been watching progress at Jubilee Park in Cleveleys where they have been doing similar work.
“It’s a bit puzzling why they need another compound; they just seem to be spreading out.”
Alison said Balfour Beatty said machinery will be sited in the older compound, with boulders stored in the new one but the “council said it the other way around”.
The council spokesperson said: “Materials for the scheme will be stored at the new compound, including the rocks used to build the revetment wall and the rock groynes. Plant and machinery will also be stored in the new compound. The older compound will contain the contractor’s offices and parking.”
Also voicing worries about noise, especially if contractors “work to the tide” and overnight, Alison said there has also been “talk of more groynes between North and Central Piers, so they are going to get this as well”.
The town hall spokesperson said: “Blackpool Council is in the process of planning future schemes to protect properties from coastal flooding and erosion, including the adjacent Bispham to Little Bispham scheme.”
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 previously: “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.”
The authority’s spokesperson added: “We would like to thank residents for their feedback during the consultation, all of which is being considered before the submission of the planning application.
“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.
“We thank residents for their patience while we carry out this work.”
Balfour Beatty did not respond to a request for comment.
Over 2,500 people have signed a petition calling for Blackpool's heritage trams to be preserved after a snap campaign in response to Blackpool Council suspending its Heritage Tram Tours service.
The council did not say the trams were at risk, but the move has raised concerns the remaining trams could be lost as so many have been before.
The council did say the move was taken for safety and efficiency reasons.
Louise Lepitak, who started the petition, said: “My earliest memories of the town of Blackpool are painted with the vibrant colours and majestic appearance of our beloved Heritage Trams.
“These illustrious machines, rich with history and charm, formed an integral part of my childhood and that of many others residents and tourists alike. Yet, they are at risk of being discarded and forgotten.”
We will be keeping a close eye on how this story evolves but you can support now by signing Louise’s petition.
Blackpool Central site sale agreement officially terminated after collapse of developer
The land sale agreement with collapsed developer Nikal Ltd has now been formally terminated by Blackpool Council – paving the way for a new investor to be found.
Members of the council’s executive agreed to cancel the deal and set aside £200,000 to launch a global search for new developers.
It was revealed by The Blackpool Lead in October that Nikal, which had been working with Blackpool Council since 2016 to bring indoor theme parks, hotels and restaurants to the Central Station site, had gone into administration.
But town hall chiefs say they are confident of finding new investors for the site which had been earmarked for a £300m transformation.
The site will be marketed as quickly as possible with the existing planning consents in place which includes outline planning permission for three indoor theme parks, a 200-room hotel plus bars, restaurants and outdoor entertainment space.
Full planning permission was granted in October 2021 to upgrade buildings on Central Drive including the King Edward cinema, King Edward pub and King Edward apartments into holiday accommodation, restaurants and bars as part of the Heritage Quarter. A seven-storey car park with 1,306 spaces opened on the site earlier this year.
Blackpool South MP Chris Webb has backed calls by the public for an indoor arena, similar to the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, to be built on the land.
Plans to redraw council areas risk derailing existing devolution deal
The leader of Lancashire County Council has warned the government that the area’s long-awaited devolution deal could be derailed if it becomes embroiled in a local authority shake-up.
Phillippa Williamson has urged ministers to honour a timeline agreed “in good faith” less than three months ago – and give Lancashire until next autumn to draw up proposals to deepen the agreement.
It comes after a push by the majority of Lancashire’s Labour MPs last month to rapidly accelerate that process – and peg it to a plan to slash the number of councils in the county from the current 15 to just three or four.
That plan could hypothetically see Blackpool Council combined with Fylde and Wyre - with politically voices expressing their unease at that prospect in recent weeks.
In correspondence seen by The Blackpool Lead, the Conservative county council leader – one of the three signatories to the existing devolution deal, along with her Labour opposite numbers at Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen councils – said she was conscious of the “numerous and varied discussions taking place locally and nationally on local government reorganisation”.
Referencing the government’s own imminent white paper on English devolution – which is expected to set out its stance on the future of the two-tier system in places like Lancashire – County Cllr Williamson said she was anxious that such conversations ”may divert us from the agreed necessary and intended next steps in our devolution journey”.
That involves the formal establishment of a new Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) early in the new year to oversee the powers being devolved from the government.
She warned that so-called “unitarisation” – the creation of a smaller number of standalone local authorities to replace the county and district council model that exists across most of Lancashire – would be “vastly complex”, because of the diverse nature of the county.
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