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Windsports centre could save car park
A FYLDE car park, which was set to be sold off by the council, could be saved as part of plans for a new windsports centre.
Kirkham businessman Eddie Sloane wants to build a 2.5m sporting facility at the former Fylde Sand Yacht club just off St Annes beach.
And now he has revealed that a plan to buy North Beach car park is also part of the scheme.
Mr Sloane, who runs educational firm Trax Group, said: "We are having meetings with council officers to discuss various options of utilising the car park without having to overdevelop it.
"We're keen to put some non-permanent residential development there that would tie in with the windsports centre and could provide accommodation for action and activity breaks but we would look to retain the majority of the car park."
But, according to Trax, the plan for temporary accommodation is not the preferred option of the council.
Council leaders want to see homes built on the site and are hoping the sale of the land and subsequent contributions from a housing developer would go some way towards paying for a new 5m town hall.
The site is on a list that includes council assets to be sold off to fund the new building, and includes a council office building in Wesham, the One-Stop Shop on Clifton Drive North as well as the former council depot on Heeley Road in St Annes – the site of a plan for a controversial homeless hostel.
Mr Sloane added: "The council has its own agenda. It hasn't considered people who use the car park and we hope a compromise can be reached."
A website has been set up by a local resident in a bid to defend the car park. The anonymously penned site, entitled Save North Beach Car Park, urges a rethink on getting rid of the site on the grounds it is vital to the area for tourists and residents.
Local resident Arthur Halstead, who lives on Clifton Drive North said: "I think the arrangement to dispose of it is ludicrous, particularly in view of the windsports proposal.
"I'm all in favour of bringing back windsports, it's an ideal patch of sand and if they are going to do that sort of thing they are going to need a car park.
St Annes councillor Howard Henshaw added: "It's ridiculous to just put it up for disposal. Any developer could come along and buy it up for housing.
"It's vital to the community and if they are talking about a windsports centre, a car park will be even more necessary."
A spokeswoman for Fylde Council confirmed the site remained on a list for disposal.
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Weather for Blackpool
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
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