Blackpool Set To Benefit From £90m Regeneration Programme
Blackpool has been awarded £90m from the Homes England’s Brownfield Infrastructure Land (BIL) Fund programme to regenerate some of the most deprived areas of the town. Insider Media reports that the announcement was made by the Levelling Up secretary Michael Gove.
Blackpool is one of the most deprived areas of the UK, with below average income and employment levels, and a high rate of crime, disability and chronic health problems. The residents face greater barriers to adequate housing and social services than in most other regions of the country.
Blackpool has the lowest life expectancy of anywhere in the UK, and also the highest rate of drug deaths. Despite this, the town draws millions of tourists each year to see its famous illuminations and visit other attractions such as the Pleasure Beach and the Blackpool Tower Ballrooms.
Several million pounds have been spent on upgrading tourist facilities in the town over the past few years, but much of the housing remains in very poor condition. When the tourist industry went through a period of decline in the second half of the 20th century, many of the spacious B&Bs were converted into flats and bedsits and are now in a deplorable state.
The cost of living crisis has intensified the problems for many residents of the town, which was already struggling after a decade of cutbacks and austerity that have led to the council being forced to make £38m in savings and £20m in cuts in recent years.
Now, the new £90m investment from the government’s Levelling Up fund will focus on regenerating some of the most inner areas and worst housing. Blackpool’s initial bid from the fund was rejected, which was widely regarded as a huge injustice.
New mixed-tenure homes will be constructed alongside wider community regeneration activity. There will be a crackdown on rogue landlords and the council local reinforcement team will be boosted.
Peter Denton, chief executive of Homes England, said: “I defy anyone to not be moved by the challenges that many of the residents of Blackpool face in their day-to-day life. Blackpool Council are utterly committed to addressing this and Homes England very much wishes to support the vision they have for their town and its inhabitants.”
“This investment signals Levelling Up in action, indeed social equity, accelerating the regeneration of housing in inner Blackpool as part of a much wider mission to transform local communities and catalyse vital positive change in some of the town’s most deprived areas.”
Cllr Lynn Williams leader of Blackpool Council, said: “We are extremely pleased about today’s announcement. It has been eagerly awaited and is a testament to the strong working relationship we have with Central Government, Homes England and a number of other partners locally and nationally.”
“Our residents and communities desperately need better housing and investment in their neighbourhoods, especially in the inner areas of Blackpool. We will use this funding to continue the process of positive change, improving housing, neighbourhoods and life chances across inner Blackpool.”
Nicola Rigby, principal at Avison Young, who led on the masterplanning and business case, said: “This project will be a vital piece of the puzzle for Blackpool to ensure that its residents have access to homes that are affordable and fit for purpose, enabling them to benefit from the economic opportunities presented by wider regeneration schemes.
“For Avison Young, this project is part of a much wider relationship with Blackpool, and we’re proud to be working on a number of projects in the town, such as Talbot Gateway, the Multiversity and Blackpool Football Club Revoe Community Sports Village and East Stand.
“We believe in the huge potential for growth across the town and are excited to be a part of its future transformation.”
Blackpool has a population of around 142,000, and it has a higher proportion of residents over the age of 60 compared to the national average. It has almost double the proportion of people living in private rented accommodation compared to the national average, largely due to conversion of former guest houses into flats, and the seasonal nature of many jobs.
About 37 percent of the private rented homes are classified as Houses of Multiple Occupancy, where more than one household shares amenities such as the kitchen or bathroom.
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