The new seafront could soon be home to an ocean side skateboard and BMX bowl and huge adventure playground.

Two years after the resort lost out on £25m of Lottery funding for the People's Playground, regeneration chiefs have unveiled plans which it is hoped will see the full potential of all the headlands finally realised.

Doug Garrett, chief executive of regeneration company ReBlackpool, said: "These planning applications are fantastic news for Blackpool's residents and tourists alike and signal a move towards the completion of the vision for the Promenade."

Planning applications have been submitted for Waterloo and St Chad's headlands, with funding being sought from the Northwest Development Agency.

Schemes are already progressing for the Tower Festival Headland and the Manchester Square Headland.

The £4.6m Waterloo Headland will feature a skateboarding park, inline bowl and BMX area.

Waterloo Headland will also be home to an adventure playground for eight to 14-year-olds, with a smaller section for younger children.
Further play facilities aimed at all age groups – including adults – and a cafe could also be built in the future.

A £1.95m scheme for St Chads Headland will see the creation of a space, which could host events such as kite surfing and vehicle rallies, or a temporary beach.

Mr Garrett added: "The seafront has already been improved dramatically over the past few years – but to complete the overall headland project with St Chads and Waterloo will be the icing on the cake, providing a whole range of free facilities for visitors and locals to enjoy."

Six headlands in total have been built as part of the £100m sea defence programme. The scheme includes four stand alone headlands, and two enclosing Central and South Piers.

The Tower Festival will boast the Comedy Carpet and a 20,000 capacity open air arena, as well as a wedding chapel.

United Utilities has unveiled plans to put raised lawns on Manchester Square, where it is investing £20m on improvements to its wastewater site.

For the full story see Boxing Day's Gazette.