Developer Rowland Homes set to get the go ahead for 200 new houses in north part of Blackpool

Town hall planners say the benefits of the scheme put forward by Rowland Homes to redevelop the site of the former Bispham High School outweigh any shortfalls.

There is already outline permission in place for 176 properties on the land, but Rowland Homes submitted a full application in September 2022 for 200 properties including 40 affordable homes.

Affordable homes – all two-bedroom properties – would be scatted through the site of the former school which closed in 2015.

Development is proposed on three different parts of the land, with vehicular access from Bispham Road, Regency Gardens and Kylemore Avenue.

If permission is granted, it would see –

• 56 homes built north of existing housing at Regency Gardens
• 42 homes to the south of the existing housing fronting Lorne Road and Headfort Close
• 102 homes on the eastern part of the site, accessed from Bispham Road apart from six fronting onto Kylemore Avenue.

A new priority junction would be created onto Bispham Road, and open space would include an attenuation basin to the south of the site access fronting Bispham Road.

A report to the council’s Planning Committee, which is due to consider the application on Tuesday, November 14, said: “The site is allocated for major housing development, and Blackpool has few large sites available for housing delivery.

“The proposal would make an efficient and effective use of land and, despite shortfalls against Local Plan requirements, it would provide a good qualityresidential estate.”

But the application has attracted 44 representations from residents whose concerns include over-development of the site, loss of open space and fears of increased traffic and congestion.

It is also claimed there is not enough capacity in existing schools and medical centres to cope with a surge in the number of residents in the area.

However, planners say the development does propose areas of open space, while highways solutions to alleviate any increased traffic levels would be included.

Final approval would also be subject to completion of a Section 106 legal agreement to secure £442,000 towards provision of an off-site sports facility, £80,000 towards the upgrade of the adjoining playground and provision of 40 affordable houses.