Public invited to have their say on Central Blackpool housing regeneration framework

Blackpool Council is inviting residents, businesses and stakeholders to have their say on the future of central Blackpool.

Everybody in Blackpool will be able to take part in a new consultation on the proposed Central Housing Regeneration Area Framework.

A public meeting and the first consultation drop in event will be held on 5 March at Ibbison Court Community Centre.

The drop in consultation event will run from 5-6pm and the public meeting will start at 6pm and is expected to last for an hour.

The meeting will be led by Cllr Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council and Cllr Jim Hobson, Bloomfield ward councillor. 

Cllr Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council said: “This investment, and the way it will be delivered, is a once in a lifetime opportunity to introduce light, space and quality in to an area of Central Drive - which by its very name tells you how important it has been to Blackpool - that desperately needs it.

“This isn’t just about better housing it’s about creating gardens, play areas, trees and green spaces, an area where people want to live and spend time in, and where their children can thrive.

“It’s about creating better life chances for people. I want this scheme to work so kids can go and play out on a local park, families can have more money in their pocket because their homes are built to be warm and cheap to run, and like in Central Drive’s heyday, neighbourhoods can come together in everybody’s best interest.

“We’ve done this in other areas of the town, which are totally transformed from 10 years ago, with falling deprivation, reducing crime and better health outcomes.

"I want that level of improvement for the people who live in central Blackpool too, but I am determined that our plan is done with the local community, so this is a genuine opportunity for everybody to sit down and discuss how we can all help make Blackpool better.”

The council’s ambition to improve housing across the town’s entire inner area is a key commitment within both the Council Plan and the Local Plan. As part of this vision, the council is seeking feedback on how the central area could be improved for modern living.

Cllr Jim Hobson, ward councillor for the local area, added: “I grew up in the 1970s in a grey, ugly, rented maisonette that wasn’t fit for purpose in an area with many of the same issues as Central Drive such as fly tipping, antisocial behaviour and crime.

"It had a really damaging effect on my mum and dad’s mental and physical health and me and my sister weren’t even allowed to play in the street.

“When we moved into a new housing association property, with a garden, green space and an all-round better environment, our family thrived with myself and my sister being the first members of our family to go to college.

"I really think that without moving to this new social housing community, we wouldn’t have achieved that.

“I want that for our residents around Central Drive and the next generation of kids growing up here but we need to do it together, so I’m really keen that we all sit down together and do what we do best, come up with a collective local solution to making life better for the people of Blackpool.”

This latest consultation follows an earlier engagement exercise held last autumn. To ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to contribute, the council is running it again.

Go to www.blackpool.gov.uk/housingregeneration and fill in the survey to give your views