Developers behind Blackpool's £45m Adrenalin World reveal next steps

Documents submitted to the council reveal how the impact of plans to build an Adrenalin World adventure park on part of Stanley Park golf course will be measured.

Traffic and noise levels as well as the effect on the natural habitat of installing rides including zip wires and go carting along with up to 250 holiday lodges will be calculated.

Blackpool Council unveiled property company Holmes Investment Properties (HIP) last August as its chosen developer for the land which it owns on East Park Drive.

The existing 18-hole golf course would be reduced to nine holes as part of the plans.

But there has been widespread opposition to the scheme both from the Park Golf Club and residents objecting to the loss of open space.

A planning application has yet to be submitted, but a scoping document has now been published on the council’s planning portal.

It says the design of the scheme is “still evolving” but it is expected to comprise of an Adrenalin World Centre including outdoor activities such as go karting, parking and access and landscaping.

An outline planning application is also expected to include between 200 and 250 holiday lodges, communal buildings, landscaping, parking and remodelling of the golf course on the west side of East Park Drive.

The document suggests the attraction could open in 2023.

It says: “It is anticipated that the main socio-economic impacts of the proposed development will be linked to the provision of the new tourist attraction for Blackpool comprising the Adrenalin World Centre, other outdoor activities, provision of up to 250 holiday lodges and golf course improvements which could be expected to increase visitor numbers, visitor spending and have an impact on the local economy.

“The proposed development will provide new social and community facilities, open space and leisure facilities for local residents, and result in temporary increases in the population associated with the holiday lodges.”

Traffic levels on junctions at Poulton Road, Newton Drive, East Park Drive and South Park Drive will be measured.

An environmental impact assessment will also be carried out to measure the potential effect on natural habitats.

The document says any development must avoid Salisbury Woodland, while surveys of breeding birds will look at the potential impact on special habitats at Marton Mere and Stanley Park lake.

Surveys must also be carried out to check populations of wildlife including great crested newts, reptiles, bats and the possibility of otters and water voles using water courses on the land.

The project would be the first Adrenalin World in the UK , which is a new venture from entrepeneur David Lloyd who is best known for his indoor tennis centres.

However more than 8,000 people have signed a petition calling for development to be blocked.

They want to save the course which opened in 1925 and was designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie who also designed Augusta, which is home to the US Masters.

Protesters are also angry at the loss of open land.

The council stepped in to run the course in October 2018 when previous operator Mack Trading went into voluntary liquidation, before seeking a new operator which led to the current proposals coming forward.

The attraction would offer more than 20 indoor and outdoor activities including zip-wires, go-karting, themed mini-golf, wall climbing and virtual reality rooms.

The west side of the site would be retained as a nine-hole course with investment in practice facilities harnessing the latest in golf technology.