Go ahead for massive housing scheme in Blackpool as planners promise traffic measures

Blackpool Council’s Planning Committee has approved an application by Rowland Homes which will see 200 houses built on the site of the former Bispham High School on Bispham Road.

The scheme will is made up of 87 three-bedroom homes, 73 four-bedroom homes and 40 two-bedroom homes, with the latter designated as affordable housing.

These will be spread through the site, with tenants paying affordable or social rents.

There will be 56 homes built north of existing housing at Regency Gardens, 42 homes to the south of the existing housing fronting Lorne Road and Headfort Close and 102 homes on the eastern part of the site, accessed from Bispham Road apart from six fronting onto Kylemore Avenue.

Alexis De Pol, representing Rowland Homes, said the applicant was seeking “to provide a high-quality scheme.”

The committee heard concerns over increased traffic would be addressed by monitoring speed levels and considering an upgrade of the junction of Bispham Road and Warbreck Hill Road.

Susan Parker, head of development management at the council, told the meeting: “Access through Regency Gardens is considered to be acceptable.

“While local residents object on this front, it must be noted the estate was designed to support another 100 houses that have never been built.

“As such the road is considered easily capable of supporting another 56 dwellings.

“Nevertheless a condition is proposed to require speed surveys to see if mitigation measures are needed.”

These could include speed humps.

She added it was accepted roads in the area were already very busy, with particular concerns around the junction of Bispham Road and Warbreck Hill Road.

But opportunities to improve that junction will be considered, and a new priority junction will be created onto Bispham Road.

The permission also includes agreement for the developer to contribute £442,000 towards a football pitch at Stanley Park, and £80,000 towards the upgrade of the adjoining playground as part of its planning obligations.

Outline permission had already been in place for 176 properties on the land, with Rowland Homes submitting its full application for 200 homes on the site in September 2022.