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'New Village' given go-ahead
PLANS to create thousands of homes in a new 'Fylde village' have been given the go-ahead.
Blackpool Council bosses last night agreed to the proposals, which will see up to 2,700 homes built on land between Yeadon Way and School Road.
Under Government directives, the 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.
Coun Maxine Callow, cabinet member for tourism and regeneration, said: "This proposed development is the best deal for the people of Blackpool.
"The Government's strategy means we have to find suitable areas for development, otherwise the Government would determine where the housing growth should be – which would not support Blackpool's regeneration.
"We want to protect the Moss, and the new development near Yeadon Way would have schools, and smaller shops, not superstores which would threaten town centre shopping.
"We have heard if the Tories came to power in the next national election, they would scrap this whole scheme, and we would welcome that."
The council has vowed to protect the heritage of the Moss, protecting wildlife, while introducing more modern family housing.
More than 800 people have signed a petition against the plans, calling for the Moss to be protected.
But MP for Blackpool South, Gordon Marsden, accused the council of failing to work hard enough to find more room for town centre development.
He said: "The executive should have sent the report back for further revision, not simply rubber-stamped it."
Coun Trevor Fiddler, Fylde Council's planning boss has also expressed concern at the scheme.
He said: "Blackpool's conceptual M55 hub is development is totally different to its original scheme and totally different to our approach to development in that area."
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Weather for Blackpool
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
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Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
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