Decision will speed up £300m Blackpool Central leisure development

The executive has approved a recommendation to appropriate for planning purposes a parcel of land to the rear of the former King Edward Apartments within the Blackpool Central Site on Central Car Park.

The land is needed to create a safe working space around the site earmarked for a new multi storey car park as part of the enabling phase of the scheme.

It is proposed to build the car park closer to the former King Edward Apartments than previously anticipated.

Alan Cavill, director of communications and regeneration at the council, told a meeting of the executive: “This is a process we need to put in place to ensure no delay to the project commencing and so we can get this fantastic project underway.

“We already own the land but people have rights of access and we need to remove those, but it doesn’t take away their rights without compensation.

“When discussing it with the developer, they would like this to be enacted more quickly. The land sits right next to where the car park would be and is needed during construction.”

A hybrid planning application for the scheme was submitted by developers Nikal Ltd and Media Invest Entertainment last month.

It is seeking full permission for the multi storey car park and to convert properties on Central Drive into a heritage zone, and outline permission for the rest of the development which will include leisure areas, retail and hotels.

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