Council plans to use its powers to support East Stand development at Blackpool Football Club

Councillors are being asked to agree in principle to the use of a compulsory purchase order if necessary, although it is still hoped to negotiate the purchase of the 27 properties required.

It comes after residents and business owners in Henry Street said they were being “kept in limbo” about the future of their properties.

A report going to a meeting of the council’s executive on Monday February 27 says: “Proposals for the new East Stand include the demolition of the existing temporary structure and the construction of a new stand.

“The new stand will have up-to-date facilities and will complete Bloomfield Road stadium.

“The East Stand phase of the scheme will be further enhanced by the delivery of a significant amount of public realm in and around Bloomfield Road stadium to allow for safe and more appropriate dispersal of fans on match days, but also to provide enhancement to the north area of the stadium.”

A planning application is expected to be submitted to the council by Blackpool FC this spring.

The development will comprise the second phase of investment including the Revoe Sports Village which already has planning permission, with investment including £6.5m from Blackpool’s Town Deal.

The report adds: “The land required to deliver phase two of the proposed scheme is currently under the ownership of a variety of third parties, with a number of residential dwellings and businesses in occupation.

“There are in total 27 property interests in the land required.”

The council says it has already contacted property owners “with a number of offers to acquire properties being made to date.”

The report says: “Discussions will continue to proceed on this basis, with every effort being made to obtain the required properties by negotiation with relevant owners where possible.

“Where all lines of negotiation have been exhausted the council may need to consider use of its statutory powers in order to acquire the land and property required to facilitate the delivery of the scheme in a timely manner.”

Once site assembly is complete, the council will enter into a land transfer agreement with the football club.