Decision made on plans to turn Blackpool's Henderson Hotel into apartments

Ambitious proposals to demolish a South Shore hotel and replace it with 15 self-contained flats have been given the go ahead.

Blackpool Council’s planning committee met last night and approved the application for the erection of a four storey building comprising 15 self-contained permanent apartments, following demolition of the former Henderson Hotel at 1 Wimbourne Place.

The proposals will offer 33 percent of the apartments (a total of five) as affordable housing.

A Design and Access Statement by consultants Future Planning and Development Ltd, was submitted on behalf of the un-named applicants in supporting a Full Planning Application for the scheme.

What planning statement says

Explaining the new need for a new building, the statement says of the current property: “The narrow circulation spaces, rigid structural layout, thin partitions, and outdated configuration present significant and inherent barriers to successful conversion or modernisation.

“Achieving a modern, building regulations-compliant layout within the existing envelope would likely require extensive intervention, making comprehensive refurbishment or reuse highly impractical and economically unviable.”

The statement adds: “The vision for the redevelopment of 1 Wimbourne Place is to transform a dated and under used hotel site into a high quality, attractive and inclusive residential environment that makes a positive contribution to the local area.”

What was recommended?

The planning committee was recommended to support and delegate approval of the application to the Head of Development Management, subject to the completion of a S106 legal agreement on social housing to secure planning obligations.

The planning officer’s report stated: “The building has been vacant for a number of years and in addition, current indications are that the Council can only identify a 2.4 year supply of housing land to meet its identified needs.

“This means that the provisions of paragraph 11 (d) of the National Planning Policy Framework apply and what is commonly known as the ‘tilted planning balance’ is engaged.

“In such circumstances, it is expected that planning permission be granted unless the adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the scheme when considered against the National Planning Policy Framework when taken as a whole.

“This application proposes 15 new apartments which would make a notable contribution towards meeting the boroughs identified housing needs. This carries significant weight in the planning balance in favour of the proposal.”

The lack of adequate car parking was considered, however the benefits of the scheme and the provision of public transport links in the area outweighed those concerns.

The planning officer’s report stated: “It is considered that occupiers of the development could access facilities needed for day-to-day living relatively easily without a car and, on balance, it is considered that the regeneration benefits of the proposal in terms of replacing an empty building with good quality residential accommodation, when the council cannot demonstrate a five year housing land supply, outweighs the deficiency in car parking .”

Councillors on the committee unanimously approved the application, with a number of conditions added to the planning approval.