Work starts on Blackpool’s £21.5m Grange Park project

RP Tyson Construction is expected to begin handing over the 131-home scheme in 2023.

RP Tyson was awarded the contract in November for Grange Park. The Blackpool-based contractor is also working with the council on its 75-home Troutbeck Crescent project, which is located close to Junction 4 of the M55.

When finished, the 9.5-acre Grange Park will have 96 affordable houses, 30 sheltered apartments and five bungalows.

Cassidy + Ashton designed the Blackpool Council-led scheme, which will ultimately be managed by Blackpool Coastal Housing.

“It has been our aspiration for some time to create much-needed new homes on Grange Park and it is a really testament to everyone involved that they’ve managed to progress the scheme to this point despite all the challenges the pandemic has brought,” said Cllr Ivan Taylor, deputy leader of Blackpool Council and cabinet member for housing.

“The Tyson team has done a fantastic job building the new homes Troutbeck Crescent at Mereside,” Taylor said. “By employing a local firm we see real benefits to the local community, the vast majority of staff working on the site will live on the Fylde Coast.”

Jeremy Whittle, managing director of RP Tyson, said: “As a locally based contractor we are absolutely delighted to have been selected by the council to deliver this significant housing development in Blackpool. We have a very strong locally based supply chain and will look to engage with it on this development as we have done on Troutbeck Crescent.”

The Grange Park project is split across two sites, the first of which is off Chepstow Road and will include 53 houses with between two and five bedrooms. There will also be a pocket park.

The second plot is off Dinmore Avenue by the rear of @thegrange community hub. The Tyson team is currently clearing that site to enable works. The plan is to build 48 houses there and the 30 apartments, as well as a community green and car park.

Funding for the new homes at Grange Park comes, in part, from a grant from Homes England.

The European Regional Development Fund is also supporting the installation of air source heat pumps in 30 of the houses as well as a new cycle path.

With more than 6,000 people, Grange Park is one of the largest council estates in Lancashire.