Blackpool FC training ground plans fleshed out
The Seasiders’ long wait for a new training ground is nearing an end with the submission of a planning application for an 87-acre complex off Garstang Road between Blackpool and Poulton-le-Fylde.
Blackpool Football Club’s training complex will be home to its first team and academy. Bringing the teams together at one facility has long been an ambition.
The facility would feature eight full-size pitches – including a floodlit exhibition pitch – an indoor pitch inflatable building, a welcome building, and two small ancillary buildings.
Once complete, the club will relocate from its existing complex at Squires Gate, where it has been based for the last 50 years.
Following years of calls for better training facilities – Squires Gate features just one pitch and no gym – the hunt for a new site began in 2019 following Simon Sadler’s acquisition of the club from the Oyston family.
Working with AFL Architects and PWA Planning, more than 30 sites were considered before the Garstang Road plot was chosen.
The club completed the acquisition of the site, located just under three miles from the club’s Bloomfield Road stadium, in May 2022.
The welcome building forms a key part of the plans. Credit: via planning documents
As the site lies in Wyre’s Green Belt and the access road is in Blackpool, both authorities will have a say when it comes to determining the application.
To learn more about the proposals, search for planning reference 23/0429 on Blackpool Council’s planning portal.
As well as AFL and PWA, the project team includes:
- Walker Sime
- Labosport
- O’Neil and Partners
- MJMC
- Milieu
- Hannan Associates
- Acoustic & Engineering Consultants
- Nationwide CDM
- Mosodi
- Lexington
- Eight Associates
The training ground is not the only project the football club is currently working on. The Seasiders want to create a community football facility next to Bloomfield Road with the help of £6.5m of government funding.
Blackpool FC lodged an application to build two all-weather fenced and floodlit sports pitches – one full-sized 11-a-side pitch and one FA-sized 5-a-side pitch – on a 5.6-acre site immediately north of the club’s ground.
The facility will replace a site in Squires Gate. Credit: Blackpool FC
Unnecessary development within the green belt.
By Anonymous
This will lead to a loss of yet more greenspace, and wildlife habitat, should not be allowed to go ahead
By Anonymous
is it possible to see a detailed site plan with pond that are being filled in & trees and hedges that are being ripped out
By roger jackson
Fantastic development on an area of land that is misused by people on quad bikes late at night waking local residents. I welcome the development and hope it will create jobs.
By Anonymous
It’s not unnecessary, it’s absolutely necessary. The development and opportunities it can offer and provide for the Lancashire youth is something much desired. With a lack of inspiration comes no growth opportunities for the young. This is a small price to pay for some land and upset older people who don’t contribute to the development of the youth. Young people need a chance.
By Tracy Comerford
More green belt lost!! Why not take down around the clubs site it’s a eye sore like most of blackpool
By Christina
This will be a good use of this land. It is an opportunity to include a network of footpaths/cycle paths for use by residents linking a garstang Road and Normoss Road. Such a network would provide safe access to pupils attending Baines School
By Anonymous