Councillors side with developer in Blackpool food venue debate 

The authority’s planning committee has approved Southbeach Streetfood’s plans for a Boxpark-style scheme at Flagstaff Gardens, choosing to ignore warnings from officers that the development could contribute towards childhood obesity. 

The applicant wants to erect 19 shipping containers on the site – located next to the Velvet Coaster Weatherspoon pub and opposite Sandcastle water park – which would be occupied by various food vendors. 

Blackpool Council’s planning committee last night voted unanimously to approve the project, despite being advised not to. 

Planning officers had recommended the project be refused, citing several reasons:  

• The application proposes a hot food and drink development on safeguarded open space in an area where there is an identified shortfall of open space and no compensatory measures or mitigation is proposed  
• The proposal would exacerbate an existing overconcentration of hot food takeaway uses in an area with significant health inequalities with high levels of childhood obesity  
• The siting of stacked shipping containers on open space is poor quality design and inappropriate in such a prominent location on the Promenade  
• The scheme would have a detrimental impact on the character, setting and views of the grade two-listed Casino and White Tower   
• The application fails to demonstrate that amenity and highway safety would be safeguarded. 

Prior to the meeting, Southbeach Streetfood responded to the officers’ assessment of the application, refuting the reasons put forward for its refusal. 

Addressing the officers’ assertion that the scheme would serve to compound issues relating to health, the developer said it was “not intending to be a takeaway venue” and would provide “high-quality ingredients” and “low-sugar options”. 

“It is true to say there are probably a good deal of poor quality, unhealthy food offerings in the area,” the developer said.  

“But rather than Southbeach Streetfood adding to that problem, we hope it will motivate those with poor offerings to improve their standards and choice of healthy alternatives in the light of increased competition.” 

Nick Lowe, director at Southbeach Streetfood, said the planning committee’s decision was a “victory for common sense”.

“I would like to thank the planning committee for their vision and shared enthusiasm for the development and a shared belief that this could spearhead more investment in an area that needs regeneration.”

JMP North West is the planning consultant advising Southbeach Streetfood on the Blackpool project.  

For more information on the development, search Blackpool Council’s planning portal using reference number 22/0506.