More homes earmarked for former ERNIE site in Blackpool

Developers want to build another 90 houses on the former National Savings site in Blackpool.
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Rowland Homes, which is already building 115 houses on the land formerly occupied by ERNIE - the Electronic Random Number Indicating Equipment that selects Premium Bond winners - is hoping to extend the residential estate further.

It has submitted a planning application to Blackpool Council seeking to use land which has planning permission for employment use, for houses instead.

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The developers says despite extensive marketing of that part of the site off Preston New Road in Marton, there is no demand from businesses to locate there.

The layout of the proposed new homesThe layout of the proposed new homes
The layout of the proposed new homes

They argue it would be better to use the land to meet Blackpool's requirement for more good quality housing.

A design statement accompanying the full application says: "The loss of vacant land designated for employment use would not significantly or demonstrably outweigh the benefits of this scheme."

It says the investment would contribute to housing needs, and assist "in the rebalancing of Blackpool’s housing stock with the provision of high quality

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family homes which would meet a wide range of household needs, the majority of which will comprise detached properties."

The development would comprise two, three and four bedroom homes including detached, semi-detached and mews-style properties.

Rowland Homes secured planning permission in 2016 for the current phase of the housing estate despite concerns it would increase traffic in the area.

New traffic lights were installed at the junction of Preston New Road and Marples Drive which is the main spine road into the estate.

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The famous National Savings tower, which housed ERNIE, was demolished by detonation in February 2017 to clear the site for redevelopment.

But some National Savings and Investments workers remain, based at Moorland House which was retained on the site.

The application will now go before town hall planners at a future date.