Miranda Barker Chief executive
@elancschamber
chamberelancs.co.uk
SEVEN UP FOR RESORT
Blackpool’s regeneration masterplan took a giant stride forward after the resort was told that the £39.5m earmarked for its ‘Town Deal’ projects had been fully approved by government.
It means that work can start on all the ‘magnificent seven’ projects put forward in the town’s ambitious cash bid.
Paul Smith, who chairs the Town Deal Board, said: “It is a huge step forward now these projects have been given the final seal of approval. I am confident this investment is going to the right places with the right plans.”
He added: “We will also continue to build on the relationship we have with central government so they can fully understand
how this funding will tackle some of the issues we have here in Blackpool developing the economy and supporting people to lead healthier and happier lives.”
Minister for Levelling Up Neil O’Brien said: “This is a huge moment for the people of Blackpool.
“This £39.5m million Town Deal will back seven impressive projects to revitalise the town, strengthen the local economy and help Blackpool become a thriving coastal community again.”
The government’s £3.6bn Town Fund was announced in 2019 and Blackpool was one of the first of 101 communities in the UK to secure funding.
The Magnificent Seven: page 73
COME ON NOW BORIS - LEVEL WITH US!
The long awaited levelling up white paper is here….and what is the verdict? Well there are a lot of nice words, but you only get to do nice words once, now we need to see the colour of the government’s money…. and that’s the issue - it’s hard to see what is new money.
There is talk about investment and long term aspirations, missions and promises, but we live in a time of broken promises. We were told Northern Powerhouse Rail would be ours, to unlock our much needed freight capacity and open up the northern regions to the wider jobs market. And yet we were let down again, so will this be any different? And what can we do to change that?
BATTLE LINES DRAWN IN THE COUNTRYSIDE
A statement issued by Preston council in early February gave an insight into the battles that have been fought over housing development in the rural communities that surround the city.
It declared: “Following multiple lengthy planning inquiries, officers at Preston City Council have successfully defended seven planning appeals.
“The initial decisions on all the planning applications were made in February 2020 and the inquiries were successfully defended in 2021.”
The inquiries related to sites in Longridge, Goosnargh and Barton and involved hundreds of proposed homes in the communities to the north and east of the city.
Local groups were vocal in their opposition, with people in the village of Goosnargh fearing the impact of developments that would have seen the community double in size.
Councillor David Borrow, city council cabinet member for planning and regulation at Preston City Council, says: “New housing developments are necessary and as a city council we are committed to delivering real homes for real people in need, therefore we will continue to resist applications for housing in inappropriate locations.
“We will continue to ensure that any new developments are in sustainable locations outlined by the local development plan.
“It is vital that they do not adversely impact residents in our rural communities and that they are supported with the necessary infrastructure in terms of access to roads, public transport and schools.”
Things didn’t all go the council’s way. It lost its appeal against a proposed development of up to 40 homes on a site in Goosnargh, which now has outline planning permission.
And the local authority has also withdrawn a High Court challenge against planning permission granted on appeal last year for 151 homes on another site in Barton.
Property report: page 48
LANCASHIREBUSINESSVIEW.CO.UK
Will Lancashire get a dedicated funding deal and steps to our own self determined investment path? Well we aren’t a Combined Authority, no mayor here, so we must depend on the so called County Deals route. We need to see that County Deals areas and their potential for the UK economy are not short changed. And we aren’t at the top of that list, so far we aren’t even on the list. So how can we change this? Well all our council authorities are in, all 15 are signed up, districts, unitaries and county, and that’s a huge step forward. So let’s see the colour of their money.
To have a chance of commanding their attention though, Lancashire needs to step up too. It’s superb to see the National Cyber Force coming here, so now let’s pitch for the next big investment, and the next. The time is now to show our ambition!
Find out more at...
info@chamberelancs.co.uk 01254 356400
chamberelancs.co.uk
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