Blackpool estate rejuvenated in £20m housing project

Construction on 133 homes at Grange Park completed last week.

The works comprise 96 houses, seven bungalows, and 30 sheltered apartments.

In addition to the properties the council estate has improved pedestrian and cycle access, as well as a children’s playground.

The project, costing £20m, has been partially funded by Homes England and every property has been fitted with solar panels to improve the site’s sustainability credentials.

Blackpool-based RP Tyson Construction was the contractor while the architect was Preston-based Cassidy + Ashton.

Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council cabinet member for levelling up, said: “These homes have helped meet local housing needs, ranging from one-bedroom apartments to six-bedroom houses designed for larger families which are also more energy efficient.”

Air source heat pumps have also been installed in 30 of the homes with funding from the European Regional Development Fund.

Jeremy Whittle, Tyson Construction’s managing director, said: “Blackpool is our home, and we are committed to delivering great homes for local people.”

The properties are being managed by Blackpool Coastal Housing, who stated on its website that its aim with the project was to “create a mixed and inclusive community that promotes wellbeing and healthy lifestyles.”

A Blackpool council spokesperson added: “We particularly included larger family homes in this scheme as large families on low incomes especially struggle with high private rented sector rents. In addition we have deliberately kept the rents below the Local Housing Allowance.”

Blackpool Coastal, a local housing association, manages around 5,000 properties in the area.

Grange Park is the largest council estate in Blackpool, with homes mostly built in the 1940s and 1970s.