Eyesore could be a danger to children

That’s the fear of a neighbour of the former Mariners pub, on Norbreck Road, which has also become a magnet for fly-tippers since it burned down in 2007.

Viv Clayton, whose house on Queens Promenade backs on to the site, is calling for the land to be cleared, but firstly to be properly fenced off again to prevent fly-tippers and children gaining access.

Blackpool Council has previously fenced it off.

Mrs Clayton said: “The site is a disgrace.

“It is near to hotels where visitors to Blackpool should be seeing the area at its best, not the worst.

“It is a potential danger to children and the whole site needs clearing.”

Children have been seen playing on the site, where piles of bricks and dust are interspersed with discarded sofas and armchairs, tyres, takeaway cartons, food and rusty wire railings.

The pub was abandoned in 2007 following a fire and bulldozed the following year with plans to build apartments, but the privately-owned site, which remains on the market, is still undeveloped.

Coun Gillian Campbell, Blackpool Council Deputy Leader, said: “We are doing everything we can to resolve this matter as the condition of the site is unacceptable.

“Blackpool Council has previously cleared up fly-tipping and carried out work to secure the site and also took the owner to court in 2017 and secured a successful prosecution.

“Unfortunately, this did not result in any action being taken by the owner but we will explore other options available to bring it to an end.”