UKAP ditches £45m Blackpool leisure scheme

The developer said it is continuing to work with Blackpool Council, after plans for an adventure park and holiday lodges at the Stanley Park golf course were shelved.

United Kingdom Adventure Parks, a subsidiary of Holmes Investment Properties, intended to develop on part of the 18-hole site, and retain and upgrade the remainder as a nine-hole course.

However, feasibility work has led to a change of thinking, with the firm saying that an increase in costs of 35% to 40% mean the project is now unviable.

The plans have been contentious from the start. The council voted to sell the site to HIP in 2020 on the back of its plans for 250 holiday lodges and an Adrenaline World adventure park. A petition opposing the sale had garnered more than 8,000 signatures.

Blackpool Council said that “the parties are working together to secure an alternative site for the development, the details of which will be released in due course”.

UKAP retains a lease of Stanley Park Golf Course and HIP will continue to operate the golf course through their operating subsidiary.

Plans for a family golf centre on the site are to be finalised in early 2023. The site will include a new Pod Range, short game practice area, redevelopment of the clubhouse and facilities to include a new retail store.

Cllr Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Following the community consultation and listening work we have done with the developer, and in light of current economic circumstances, we have now agreed that the project is not suitable for the site on East Park Drive.

“This project will create over 100 jobs and bring in tens of millions of investment and is still being considered for another location in Blackpool, one that will already have been designated for commercial use.

“We will continue to work together to protect this investment and job creation for the town. The main elements of design and relevant issues from the consultation can then be transferred to an alternative site so that we can benefit from the work done to date.”

Michael Simmonds, chief executive of HIP, said: “Blackpool and the surrounding area remains an important part of our rollout plan and we are pleased that our relationship with Blackpool Council and the community will continue as we work together to secure an alternative site to deliver this exciting venture to the area.”