Golf site uncertainty following protest outside Blackpool Town Hall

An investigation is being carried out into claims of a breach of procedure after Blackpool Council chose Holmes Investment Properties (HIP) to take over the site.

Coun Tony Williams, leader of the Conservatives on Blackpool Council, told a full meeting of the council information had been found from which it "would appear that HIP has allegedly made a false declaration on their procurement questionnaire".

Coun Williams urged the council to "suspend anything further until that's clarified."

Blackpool Council confirmed it was looking into the claim.

A spokesperson said: “We are aware that someone has made an allegation of a false declaration and we will investigate that claim to determine whether it is true and, if so, whether this is a material breach of any process.”

HIP wants to build an Adrenalin World attraction and up to 250 holiday lodges on the eastern part of the council-owned course on East Park Drive, with the remainder of the course being reduced to nine holes.

It was chosen to develop the site following a procurement exercise by the council last year.

But campaigners from the Park Golf Club and Blackpool Green Open Spaces are protesting against the £45m scheme.

Demonstrators gathered at the council's Bickerstaffe House offices in Talbot Road before marching to the Town Hall to protest ahead of the council meeting.

Coun Williams also asked at full council how many of approximately 350 trees on the east side of the golf course would be lost through development.

Deputy council leader Coun Gillian Campbell said the developer planned to plant additional trees as part of its scheme.