Major doubts surround massive £15m 58-property development at Marton Moss as homes appear to be collapsing

Questions have been raised about the suitability of land near Blackpool for a major housing development after a local resident spotted what appears to be cracks in the new homes being constructed.

Work is now officially underway on a £15m development intended to turn a former garden centre at Cropper Road on the Fylde-Blackpool boundary into a new housing estate and shopping hub.

Property developer Breck signed contracts with Progress Housing Group to deliver the mixed-use scheme on the site which was previously home to The Garden Place garden centre and has been disused for several years.

The new development is set to include 58 one- to three-bedroom homes for affordable rent and around 5,500sq ft of retail space across four new units, while plans for a children’s play area and electric vehicle charging points are also included as part of the new community.

But nearby resident Tracey Elston contacted The Gazette to query the land’s suitability after spotting a major fault in one of the first house walls to be constructed.

“I don’t feel the land is fit to be built on,” said Tracey. “It is Marton Moss after all and the land there is flooded for several months of the year. I really don’t think it is suitable at all.”

‘Real need for housing’

Planning permission for the project was granted in March last year by Fylde Council, with additional funding provided by Homes England for the housing element.

Andy Garnett, director at Breck, said when construction was starting: "There’s a real need for a wide range of housing in the Fylde area and our site forms part of a wider masterplan for housing allocation which has the local authority’s approval. ”

Daniel Griffiths, director of development at Progress Housing Group, also previously said: "Working alongside our partner Breck on this new development is a great step forward for this disused piece of land.

"The delivery of over 50 high-quality and energy-efficient homes for affordable rent and shared ownership aligns with our social purpose, and will no doubt bring a boost to the local community."

Breck, which specialises in building affordable housing schemes of between 25 and 300 homes, has said the Cropper Road project will help meet local housing demand while supporting local retail.

Completion of the development is scheduled for October 2027.

Breck Homes, the Progress Housing Group and Fylde Council were contacted for comment on Ms Elston’s claims.