The course will continue to be operated by HIP. Credit: archive

Blackpool’s Stanley Park land sale approved

The council voted to uphold an earlier decision to sell 39 acres at Stanley Park Golf Club to bring forward a £45m leisure development, despite strong opposition from residents. 

The sale had already been approved by Blackpool Council’s executive committee in July. But the council ruled that a full council meeting was required to make a final call on the controversial disposal, on the grounds that insufficient consideration had been given to the concerns raised by residents at the time.  

Councillors were asked this week whether to uphold the July decision or refer the matter back to the executive committee for further consideration. Overall, 17 members voted to uphold the land sale while 13 voted against. 

United Kingdom Adventure Parks, a subsidiary of real estate investor Holmes Investment Properties, is now expected to lodge a planning application for the scheme.

Stanley Park Golf Club 1

The golf club was founded in 1926

UKAP’s plans include building 250 holiday lodges on the site and an Adrenalin World adventure centre – an entertainment centre brand headed up by tennis player-turned-leisure mogul, David Lloyd.  

Later stages of the scheme include the refurbishment of the golf club’s clubhouse, however, the creation of the leisure complex will see the existing course, founded in 1926, reduced from 18 holes to nine. 

Last year, a petition against the scheme garnered 8,000 signatures but councillors voted not to act on it. 

Liverpool-based architect Ryder Architecture and Manchester-based consultancy Hydrock are on the project team for the proposed scheme, alongside planning consultant Iceni Projects.  

UKAP is expected to sign a lease of between 99 and 125 years for its portion of the golf course site, according to Blackpool Council. 

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Absolute disgrace ,never vote for a labour councillor again!

By David Allan

Golf courses are closing down all over the country and most are being turned into concrete housing estates.

By Darren born bred.

Went to Stanley park last month, its looking a bit run down with children’s play equipment broken and several buildings vandalised. Lets hope they re-invest the money in the park. Have to say though that golf courses in general seem to be under threat at the moment.

By Jon P

What an absolute disgrace – one of the busiest and best golf courses in Lancashire but all Blackpool Councillors can see are £££££.
Well done to the 13 who voted against and shame on the 17 who voted for the sale.

By Ian Mulroy

Who uses them seem very quiet these days

By Anonymous

Really there is NO reason to dig up green space .The traffic around Stanley park is appalling as it is.
Why not redevelop sites similar to Plymouth Road where standards have fallen over the years I’m sure those business currently there would welcome a substantial cash injection to resite to more convenient sites
Moving to Plymouth Road for example could reduce the road traffic as on bus and train and footfall , encouraging residents from near and far.

By John Howat

The council are operating undemocratically. Moving people out of their homes and businesses to line their pockets.

By Josh

It should stay as it is 18 hole golf course look elsewhere for a more suitable plot of land and it is to close area for our Blackpool Victoria hospital. So on this basis defer the planning decision.and go with the petition of the public of Blackpool. We live here and dont needs it in this area of our town.

By David harrower

In an effort to reduce daily on street parking in the area i would have thought that extra parking for the hospital would have been a sensible solution.
I am old enough to remember an application for a theme park by Disney on the land where the hotel and zoo are. The council refused the application on the grounds that it consisted of holiday accomodation and the Boarding House Keepers Ass. objected. Imagine s Disney World in Blackpool in the 1960’s. What happened to the Blackpool motto “Progress” and why do they not now listen to long suffering ratepayers in the area.

By James Openshaw

What a carve up !
This is supposed to be an affordable facility for locals and holiday makers
…..Labour party members should be ashamed of themselves!

By PaulShipton

Blackpool Council have taken 120 years to turn a Victorian Theatre on Church Street into a car park so i can beleive anything they do.

By James Openshaw

Disgraceful decision by Blackpool council

By Gary

Residents and locals totally ignored. It’s not just a golf course, it’s a green, wildlife area, now to be lost to more building. Labour in Blackpool, hang your heads in shame.

By Ruth

Now there’s a surprise, a Labour Council selling off an asset! Typical narrow mindedness. Remember it at the ballot box!

By Gibson

Good business if you ask me that will bring more money and jobs into blackpool well done to this progressive council

By Karen Riddy

Our beautiful green belt land lovely walks away from the holiday crowds how dare you ruin it for money we will never forget this or vote for you again

By Mr & Mrs J Breeze

Once again council catering for visitors ambulances have a problem getting to and from hospital .As it is dont know how they will be able to cope with extra traffic .A perfectly viable proposal to keep the other side from a professional golfer .

By Ralph Goss

So much for Blackpool Council’s respect for democracy.

By Peter Baxendale

The council runs a fabulous facility a few hundred yards from there with high ropes course etc, why would they sell to another company to set up in direct competition. Does not make financial sense and very short sighted

By Annie Kendrick

Can’t believe this, it’s insane the Council should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

By S Warren

Unethical capitalism has brought the planet to it’s knees, green space and wildlife habitat is being destroyed world wide at an alarming rate. How much more pleading will it take before the destruction ends, is it a case of lack of education or is it pure greed that drives the destruction of our environment

By Terry Robinson

Disgusting worse than the ludicrous tram track down Talbot rd .This course was left to the folk of Blackpool not to sell on for profit .I don’t play golf but still think this decision is a outrage

By Phill

The Destruction of green space, wildlife habitat and an excellent golf course, the council should hang their heads in shame, no going back once its gone

By Golfer

Why is it again and again, the people’s voices and opinions are ignored? Money seems to speak louder and people seem to count for nothing

By Rachel Williams

What a disgrace, the council are ignoring the electorates wishes, and destroying a fine golf course.

By W Watt

For goodness sake leave blackpool with some green space in the last five years the number of green spaces that have been built on is is just disgraceful just look around bispham cleveleys and Thornton area along and south shore

By Peter

I am against this stupid idea of putting a leisure complex and taking most of the golf club away and l believe having a leisure complex in this area is not fair on the residents that live in those beautiful houses as it has always been an exclusive part of Blackpool that will be spoilt with too many holidaymakers. Seems to be that the council have got it wrong again

By Ann Winters

Whilst I can understand golfers concerns and sympathise with them, there is an alternative, if different course at North Shore.
If this scheme were to go ahead then surely funding can be found to clean up the Lake to facilitate more water based activities. At present the lake is a disgrace.

By Richard

The beautiful golf course,was created,for the people of Blackpool.All the kids,play their first,games of golf there.It has a spectacular,layout,as you cross the road,you play some great holes,amongst huge mature trees.Leave it alone, please.This labour council should be ashamed.Greed,that’s all it is.Pure greed!

By Dan Foster

east park drive is terrible now for traffic what happens to emergency vehicles with another 5oo cars appear from this so called gift to blackpool!

By a.leeming

This land is not the council’s to sell. It was bequeathed to the people of Blackpool. Has any other town in the UK got an adrenalin palace next to it’s coranary wards?

By Mike Harrison

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