Progress for £300m Blackpool Central as car park completes
With the 1,300-space multi-storey car park now operational, the demolition of the former court complex and police station can now begin – a move that will pave the way for the next phases of the project.
Flattening the 17-acre site for the leisure elements of the £300m Blackpool Central scheme is due to begin in September, according to a report to the council’s audit committee.
Plans for a new court complex on Devonshire Road have already been approved. The relocation of the facility – which unlocked the Blackpool Central site for redevelopment – was made possible thanks to a £40m contribution from the Ministry of Justice.
Now that contractor Ballast Nedam has handed over the car park and work to move the courts is well underway, attention can turn to the more exciting elements of the scheme.
Planning permission for the Blackpool Central project was approved in October 2021. As well as the car park, these plans featured a 127,000 sq ft flying theatre, two smaller indoor theme parks, a 200-bedroom hotel, several bars and restaurants, and a 70,000 sq ft public square.
The leisure portion of the scheme was granted outline consent so Nikal will have to secure reserved matters consent before work can start on site.
It is unclear at this stage how the vision for the development has changed in the three-plus years since the outline plans were approved.
Negotiations between the council and Nikal, the developer leading the 17-acre redevelopment project “are ongoing”, the report states.
I bet it’s not suitable for wheelchair adopted sprinters, the height restrictions are usually 7ft high which is not high enough. Contractors build carparks without thinking of the higher vehicle’s.
By Sammy
Do we need another hotel in Blackpool it is getting stupid how about building houses that people can afford the mortgage repayments
By Anonymous
When are the council going to do something for the residents of Blackpool
By Martyn
What’s been completed so far looks like a load of scaffolding and not only that, apparently there’s a road with ANPR and if you’re not clear of it within 15 mins, you’re liable for a ticket as the ANPR assumes you’re in the multi-storey.
By Rik
Ungrateful residents. Polishing a turd, but it still isn’t good enough for some
By WindyMcWindface
Didnt a large hotel on the primonade almost next to this site, already get built, but not opened for years? Its the big black one that doesn’t even appear fitted out. Such a waste of money when people are struggling to pay rents and buy homes.
By Rob B