Blackpool set to benefit from £90m levelling up investment

The government money will support the creation of homes and neighbourhoods as part of wider ambitions to transform local communities.

Homes England’s Brownfield Infrastructure Land Fund programme will spark vital regeneration projects in some of the most deprived areas of the inner city.

Grant funding will also help to construct quality mixed-tenure homes, supported by wider regeneration activity. This work will be led by Blackpool Housing Company, the council’s subsidiary private-rented sector developer, alongside Lumen, its affordable housing provider.

The BIL funded activity will complement work to improve Blackpool’s housing stock which includes an enforcement pilot, led by the council, to encourage landlords of properties which are deemed unsatisfactory to invest in their improvement or to sell them.

In addition, the council is working with partners to deliver a £2b investment programme to facilitate economic regeneration and the re-imagination of Blackpool’s tourism offer.

Avison Young, led on the masterplan and business case for the funding.

Nicola Rigby, principal at Avison Young, said: “This project will be a vital piece of the puzzle for Blackpool to ensure that its residents have access to homes that are affordable and fit for purpose, enabling them to benefit from the economic opportunities presented by wider regeneration schemes.

“For Avison Young, this project is part of a much wider relationship with Blackpool, and we’re proud to be working on a number of projects in the town, such as Talbot Gateway, the Multiversity and Blackpool Football Club Revoe Community Sports Village and East Stand. We believe in the huge potential for growth across the town and are excited to be a part of its future transformation.”

Blackpool was named as a pilot area for levelling up in 2022.

READ MORE: North West Emerging Development Hotspots highlights the potential of Blackpool

Homes England was commissioned to work with Blackpool Council alongside the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, to develop a detailed proposal addressing poor quality housing in the town’s inner wards.

Peter Denton, chief executive of Homes England, said: “This investment signals levelling up in action, indeed social equity, accelerating the regeneration of housing in inner Blackpool as part of a much wider mission to transform local communities and catalyse vital positive change in some of the town’s most deprived areas.

“We look forward to continuing our work together, to drive positive change and create strong and vibrant communities in the town.”

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “We are extremely pleased about today’s announcement. It has been eagerly awaited and is a testament to the strong working relationship we have with central government, Homes England, and a number of other partners locally and nationally.

“Our residents and communities desperately need better housing and investment in their neighbourhoods, especially in the inner areas of Blackpool. We will use this funding to continue the process of positive change, improving housing, neighbourhoods and life chances across inner Blackpool. We will be holding a full public consultation concerning our plans for a first phase.

“It is our vision that over time you will see the removal of housing that does not meet modern standards, with new and better housing created in its place, in better neighbourhoods, designed with the interests of Blackpool residents and businesses at their heart.”

A full public consultation will be launched later this year.