Business leaders in Blackpool have sent an open letter to Boris Johnson, describing how tier 3 measures imposed ahead of the half-term break have had a devastating impact on its £1.6bn hospitality industry.
The local authorities of Barrow, Lancaster and South Lakeland have confirmed their support to progress a process that could lead to a formal bid for a new unitary council governing Morecambe Bay.
The leaders of South Ribble, Chorley and West Lancashire councils have said there is insufficient consensus across the county for a combined authority, and proposed the trio form a separate unitary authority instead.
A decision by Blackpool Council's executive to sell 39 acres at Stanley Park Golf Club for redevelopment will be ruled on by 42 councillors, following claims it failed to consider crucial arguments against the planned disposal.
The proposed sale of 39 acres of the golf course off East Park Drive in Blackpool to deliver 250 holiday lodges and an adventure centre was approved last week but a councillor has requested that the decision be reviewed.
Stanley Park Golf Club’s redevelopment, construction of a 40,000 sq ft factory in the airport enterprise zone, and compulsory purchase powers to accelerate the £300m Blackpool Central leisure scheme, have been voted forward by the council.
The council aims to submit a bid to the £1bn Government fund and has outlined 11 schemes it would help fund, including the extension of Houndshill Shopping Centre and the redevelopment of the Old Post Office into a hotel.
Leader Paul Foster admitted “significant failings” in the council governance in recent years, including a flawed costing and tender process for Leyland’s £24m leisure centre, and promised to “put things right”.
Council leaders have agreed in principle to explore a combined authority for the county, to address issues such as transport and inward investment and give it greater clout in Whitehall funding decisions.
Lambert Smith Hampton has been appointed to lead an urban planning exercise in the Claremont area of Blackpool.
