Blackpool welcomes £90m of investment to support housing delivery

Blackpool Council and its delivery partners have welcomed £90m of investment into Blackpool’s housing stock following the approval of a detailed proposal put forward by Blackpool Housing Company, Blackpool Council and Homes England, supported by global commercial real estate firm Avison Young. 

The plan, which the Council said Blackpool desperately needs, proposes to deliver new homes within the inner urban area of the town.

Michael Gove, Levelling Up Secretary at the Convention of the North, revealed that Blackpool was to be one of the first four pilots within the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper. The £90m commitment builds on a wider £2bn regeneration programme including the Multiversity education campus, Talbot Gateway, and Blackpool Central projects.

The £90m will support Blackpool’s wider regeneration plans, providing opportunities for local people to access high quality and affordable housing, within the inner urban area, ensuring local people can benefit from the town’s economic growth.

Cllr Lynn Williams Leader of Blackpool Council said:  “Our residents and communities desperately need better housing and investment in their neighbourhoods, especially in the inner areas of Blackpool. We will use this funding to continue the process of positive change, improving housing, neighbourhoods and life chances across inner Blackpool. We will be holding a full public consultation concerning our plans for a first phase.

“We want to create strong neighbourhoods – stable, thriving and sustainable neighbourhoods that have access to things like health services, decent jobs, quality housing, schools and leisure activities.  

“It is our vision that over time you will see the removal of housing that does not meet modern standards, with new and better housing created in its place, in better neighbourhoods, designed with the interests of Blackpool residents and businesses at their heart. We want people to love where they live.” 

Nicola Rigby, Principal at Avison Young, the firm that led on the strategic masterplanning and business case for the project, said: “This project will be a vital piece of the puzzle for Blackpool to ensure that its residents have access to homes that are affordable and fit for purpose, enabling them to benefit from the economic opportunities presented by wider regeneration schemes.

“For Avison Young, this project is part of a much wider relationship with Blackpool, and we’re proud to be working on a number of projects in the town, such as Talbot Gateway, the Multiversity and Blackpool Football Club Revoe Community Sports Village and East Stand. We believe in the huge potential for growth across the town and are excited to be a part of its future transformation.”

The funding application followed the preparation of a development framework for the inner urban area of the town, which was led by Avison Young with Optimised Environments, Civic Engineers and Counter Context.