All-clear for last Foxhall Village phase
Blackpool Council has approved Great Places’ proposals for 67 affordable homes, completing the western site at the flagship Rigby Road development.
The plans to build housing of two to four bedrooms on the remaining plots at Foxhall were developed by Great Places in consultation with the local authority after the original developer Hollinwood Homes, part of the Marcus Worthington group, went into administration in 2019.
The plans were tipped for approval ahead of this week’s planning meeting. Great Places is working with consultancy Cassidy + Ashton on the project.
Homes England remain engaged with discussions given their long-standing commitment to the neighbourhood. Blackpool Council took control of the overall Foxhall site in 2021, with Hollinwood having delivered fewer than half the 400 homes originally promised.
The council said that it is working with Great Places, under an exclusivity agreement, to “enable solutions to be found to the complexities of delivering the development”.
While the council has yet to make a decision on the delivery approach, it hopes this will lead to a new agreement between the parties to complete the scheme.
Helen Spencer, executive director of growth at Great Places, said: “Foxhall Village is one of the projects that we are most proud to have been involved with and we’re delighted that our proposals have been approved. This will not only secure the completion of the West site, but also provide an additional 67 much needed affordable homes in the local area.”
“As a long-term owner and investor in Foxhall Village we have worked with the council to overcome a huge array of challenges to deliver what is a complex and difficult site but of key importance to the town.
“Great Places already owns 79 homes at Foxhall Village and alongside the Council and we are committed to ensuring the long-term success of Foxhall Village as a thriving local community.”
This week, it was revealed that Great Places is looking to complete a merger with fellow regional provider Mosscare St Vicvent’s, aiming for completion in July 2023.
