Revoe sports pitches tipped for Blackpool nod
Reworked this year, the community sports plan features on a docket that also includes a recommendation to refuse the expansion of a mental health facility.
Blackpool Council lodged revised plans for the £4m Revoe Sports Village in April, and is currently procuring a contractor. Cassidy + Ashton is advising.
The scheme features two 7-a-side 3G pitches, a multi-use games area, and two padel courts on 3.4 acres north of the Bloomfield Road stadium and its associated parking.
The land had originally been allocated for housing as phase two of Foxhall Village – however no reserved matters application was ever brought forward and the site has been earmarked since 2021 for alternative community uses.
This and other parts of the ongoing work around Bloomfield Road, including the long-awaited East Stand redevelopment, have been rejigged, with the club now agreeing to fund the stand and associated public realm.
You can learn more about the Revoe Community Sports Village plans by searching 26/0178 on Blackpool Council’s planning portal.
The two-storey extension’s size has been queried by officers. Credit: planning documents
Redevelopment work at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, and 183 Newton Drive has been put forward by Cygnet Healthcare, working with heritage architect Buttress and Planning Potential. Cygnet acquired the Newton House facility last year.
The plans were submitted in February.
Located at the junction of Whinney Heys Road and Newton Drive in Layton ward, the proposal is for a two-storey front and side extension providing an extension that would take the in-patient mental health facility to 35 beds in total.
Also proposed is a single-storey link extension between 183 Newton Drive – originally built as a convent – and the grade two*-listed chapel. Ramp access to the chapel would be introduced.
Initially, the plans also included two new vehicle access points, and the creation of a car park in front of the chapel, which have now been removed.
Refusal is recommended, with officers summing up that “the scheme does not represent sustainable development and no other material planning considerations have been identified that would outweigh this assessment”.
Of the consultees most relevant to the issue, Historic England provided extensive feedback, stating that it would welcome the repurposing of a chapel building that has been vacant for a long time, and is in a worsening condition.
Blackpool Civic Trust initially said that both developments would harm the setting of the chapel, but has withdrawn its objection following amendments.
For the 20th Century Society’s part, it objected to the parking element, and raised concerns over some elements of the proposed works to the chapel, although it said it has no problem in principle with the addition of the glazed link building.
Another potential issue comes from Blackpool Council’s adult care team, a summary of its submission being that the provision of more beds would not benefit Blackpool residents.
The main sticking point for officers seems to be the two-storey extension to the accommodation block, rather than the chapel. Officers advised at pre-application stage that the proposed addition is too bulky, but if slimmed down could be supported. However, the design remains as originally submitted, and in the view of officers is too over-bearing for the Stanley Park conservation area.
Summing up in the report put together for members, officers said: “No local need has been demonstrated and the development proposed is not considered to constitute sustainable development.
“The proposals would harm the significance and setting of various heritage assets and no other material planning considerations have been identified that would outweigh this view.”
You can learn more about the Newton Drive application by searching 26/0064 on Blackpool Council’s planning portal.
Both applications, along with a coastal defence works project recommended for approval, will be considered at committee on 1 September.
