Consultation agreed for new conservation area in Blackpool

The council’s executive has approved a recommendation to go out to public consultation on the plans for Layton.

It is hoped to engage with residents in May or June when Covid 19 restrictions have been eased.

Layton ward councillor Kath Benson welcomed the proposed conservation area, describing Layton as “a really unique place to live.”

She added: “The end of Layton Road has some of the oldest properties in Blackpool.

“We talk of Blackpool not having a lot of history, but it has. We need to preserve the uniqueness of Layton.”

Carl Carrington, head of planning and conservation at the council, said creating a conservation area was not about stopping residents from making changes to their properties, but ensuring people “speak to us first about what they are doing.”

He said: “It doesn’t prevent it, but gives us the ability to control it.”

Mr Carrington said these controls would become more important in the future as changes to planning regulations will give people more permitted development rights.

Conservation area status would give the council tougher powers to safeguard the character of the area, including more control over the demolition of unlisted buildings.

It is proposed to focus the conservation area on Layton Cemetery with its grade II listed chapel.

It would stretch outwards from the cemetery down Grange Road, and cover locally listed buildings including the library, former tram stop, Queens Hotel, adjacent terraces and Salem Layton Methodist Church.

It would also include the locally listed Jewish cemetery, Layton Institute and bowling green, St Mark’s Parish Church as well as good examples of little altered workers’ housing at the north east end of Layton Road opposite the bowling greens.

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