Demolition starts at former hotel

The scheme at the former Parkwater Hotel site on Fairhaven Road has been welcomed after the site had been said to have been the source of anti-social behaviour.

When the Westby Homes plans were first lodged in 2014 some residents expressed fears that flats residents might cause nuisance to elderly neighbours, but Coun Cheryl Little said most people were now pleased about the development.

She said: “People are pleased that its is going to be built rather than just having an empty building.

“We had a bit of trouble with anti-social behaviour from the buildings at the back of the hotel in the past and had to have a meeting about it.

“So we did not want it to remain empty with the potential for more anti-social behaviour.

“Some people were concerned it would become social housing, but it isn’t and in any case we have no problems with the registered social housing we have in the area.”

At the time of the application, nine letters of objection were received but Fylde Council said the apartments plan would not harm the area even though the site was allocated within the Secondary Holiday Area of St Annes.

The work is to be carried out by Bardsley Construction, its first in the area, and is due to be finished by spring next year. It will create a four storey apartment block with landscaping, car parking, new access arrangements and other external works.