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Marton Moss housing u-turn rejected
A BID to overturn a controversial housing strategy that could see thousands of new homes built on Marton Moss has failed.
Opposition councillors called for a re-think on the plans for land between Yeadon Way and School Road.
But a vote at last night's Policy, Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee resulted in the bid to have the matter put back before the full council refused.
In an empassioned speech, opposition leader Ivan Taylor urged the committee to ignore political allegiances and act in the best interests of the town.
Coun Taylor said: "The Government is asking us to build houses but they are not telling us to build them on Marton Moss.
"What happens in Blackpool is a matter for Blackpool Council and we can't abdicate responsibility in future years if we make the wrong decision.
"This land is precious to people and we don't want anything building there unless we have to.
"This is an important decision and we have to have the courage to get this matter referred back to full council because the buck stops here."
All councils are required by the Government to provide land for future homes.
Blackpool Council has to find space for more than 7,000 homes by 2026, and, with space for only 2,000 in the town centre, it has identified the M55 Hub as the most suitable place for a significant development.
The Moss project earmarks up to 2,700 new homes on land between Yeadon Way and School Road.
A further 2,000 homes could be built on the Whyndyke Farm site, off Preston New Road, which is within Fylde's boundaries, while further residential development could be earmarked for land around Whitehills.
A new district centre would be created around the junction of Cropper Road and Progress Way to provide shops and community facilities, and up to five new schools.
The plans have met with a storm of opposition and more than 800 protesters signed a petition calling for any development of the Moss to be scrapped.
The petition was supported by Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden who says the council should investigate more town centre development.
Decision
Coun Simon Blackburn who requested the "call in" review of the plans said: "This decision will have a dramatic influence on life of residents but also the development of the whole town in years to come."
He also said the plans lacked clarity as to how many homes were actually planned. He also raised concerns about the environment as well as the cost of infrastructure needed.
Council officer Helen France, spoke on behalf of the council and defended plans and how having a clear strategy for new housing would make it easier for the council to block other future applications.
She pointed out the scheme would actually protect valuable areas of the Moss, namely land between School Road, Midgeland Road and Division Lane, from development and reiterated the fact no decision had been made on the plans.
Coun Henry Mitchell said: "This plan has many stages to go through and the decision will be taken accordingly.
"The Government want this to happen and it should go through the normal process ."
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Weather for Blackpool
Tuesday 14 February 2012
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