Parking row over Blackpool hotel's expansion plan

Blackpool Council’s planning committee is being recommended to approve an application to add another 74 bedrooms to the Hampton by Hilton Hotel on South Promenade.

The move would see the extension built on a public car park alongside the existing 130-room hotel.

Objectors say loss of the car park will mean more visitors will park on nearby residential streets creating congestion.

A letter from Blackpool South MP Scott Benton is among 19 public representations.

He says while he welcomes investment in the town, a number of constituents had raised concerns.

He added: “In particular they worry about the creation of a further 74 bedrooms when the car park already can’t meet the full capacity of the hotel.

“It is already difficult to find parking on nearby streets, especially due to the proximity of the Pleasure Beach and the Promenade.”

Waterloo ward councillors Derek Robertson and David O’Hara have also submitted objections.

Both councillors are members of the planning committee but have withdrawn from the committee for Tuesday’s meeting and will speak on behalf of residents instead.

Coun O’Hara said: “Neither Derek or I are against improvement in Blackpool, but we have to think of the residents.

“This will take spaces away from the car park and parking is a problem on Clifton Drive.”

He added negotiations with the developer had failed to find a solution so far.

If it gets the go ahead, the scheme will see a four storey extension built on the adjoining car park where the Warwick Hotel stood until it was demolished in 2016.

The land, which is owned by the council, has temporary permission for parking for 110 vehicles which was granted in 2017 and is due to expire this year.

The Hampton by Hilton proposes to increase its car park capacity from 34 to 86 spaces.

The £20m hotel was built by Create Construction on the site of the fomer Palm Beach and Bourne Hotels which were demolished after becoming a target for vandals.