Blackpool Local Plan Part 1: Core Strategy Infrastructure and Delivery Plan November 2014

Blackpool Local Plan Part 1: Core Strategy Infrastructure and Delivery Plan November 2014 Infrastructure and Delivery Plan November 2014 1 Intentionally left blank Infrastructure and Delivery Plan November 2014 2 Contents 1 Introduction and Background 4 Social Infrastructure 32 1.1 Introduction 4 3.9 Education and Skills 32 1.2 Infrastructure Delivery 4 3.10 Health Provision 37 1.3 Outline Structure of the Document 5 3.11 Emergency Services 40 2 Blackpool in Context 6 Green Infrastructure 43 2.1 Blackpool Mini Profile 6 3.12 Parks and Open Space 43 2.2 Sub-Regional Context 7 3.13 Leisure Facilities 45 2.3 Overview of Spatial Strategy 8 2.4 Housing and Employment Provision 8 3 Infrastructure Overview 10 4 Specific Infrastructure Requirements 47 Physical Infrastructure 10 4.1 Town Centre and Resort Regeneration 47 4.2 Winter Gardens 51 3.1 Transport 10 4.3 Central Business District (Talbot Gateway) 55 3.2 Utilities 15 4.4 Leisure Quarter (Former Central Station Site) 61 3.3 Telecommunications 18 4.5 Neighbourhood Regeneration 66 3.4 Renewable Energy 18 4.6 Enabling South Blackpool Growth and 74 3.5 Water 19 Enhancement 3.6 Sea Defences 27 3.7 Municipal Waste 28 3.8 Historic and Built Environment 28 Infrastructure and Delivery Plan November 2014 3 1 Introduction and Background 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Infrastructure Delivery 1.1.1 This is the Infrastructure and Delivery Plan (IDP) for the 1.2.1 The IDP follows the advice set out in the National Planning Policy Blackpool Local Plan Part 1: Core Strategy. It seeks to establish what Framework (NPPF) 2 which states that ‘ Local Plans should plan positively for additional infrastructure and service needs are required to support the the development and infrastructure required in the area to meet overarching strategy for new homes and jobs in the Borough to 2027. objectives, principles and policies in the NPPF.’ The IDP will help ensure that the additional infrastructure and services that are needed are identified and delivered in a timely, co-ordinated and 1.2.2 In accordance with the NPPF, there is a need to ensure efficient and sustainable way. It is also a key piece of evidence that will provide a effective use of existing infrastructure, as well as providing new robust basis on which the Council will seek to influence public, private infrastructure which supports development. There is also a need to identify and agency funding and priorities. Alongside the Core Strategy it will infrastructure of regional and sub-regional significance, and appropriate inform other business plans and strategies to help shape and influence means of delivery. development across the Borough. 1.2.3 The term ‘infrastructure’ includes ‘physical’ infrastructure such as 1.1.2 The plan has been prepared by drawing on information from road and rail needs, flood alleviation, electricity and gas supply, and waste Council services (such as education and transport) and infrastructure water; ‘ social’ infrastructure such as education, health and community providers external to the Council (such as utility companies and the NHS). facilities and 'green' infrastructure such as parks, playing fields, allotments, Consultation with both internal and external partners has been ongoing public open space and footpaths/cycle ways. during the preparation of the Core Strategy 1 and has been essential to plan for the infrastructure needs arising from the anticipated level and 1.2.4 The Council’s approach to seeking developer contributions towards location of development. infrastructure provision is set out in Policy CS11 of the Core Strategy Proposed Submission. The IDP will also provide the basis for establishing the Council’s priorities in relation to the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). Work has been undertaken 3 to assess the viability of CIL and recommends 2 National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) March 2012 3 Blackpool Local Plan and Community Infrastructure Levy Study (2014) 1 As set out in the Core Strategy Statement of Consultation Infrastructure and Delivery Plan November 2014 4 appropriate charging regimes. However, no decision has been taken on whether the Council will adopt CIL. 1.3.5 Section 4 considers the specific infrastructure requirements for the spatial focus of the Core Strategy including the Strategic Sites. 1.3 Outline Structure of the Document 1.3.1 The document establishes a framework to demonstrate the deliverability of policies set out in the Core Strategy, identifying the key programmes and projects which will support the delivery of the Core Strategy spatial objectives up to 2027. The IDP includes a series of summary tables which highlight the programmes and projects identifying the key delivery bodies and delivery mechanisms. 1.3.2 The infrastructure requirements identified in the IDP are based upon the situation and assessed needs as at April 2014 . However the IDP is a ‘live’ document and will be reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis. 1.3.3 Section 2 includes a brief overview of Blackpool with respect to its population and socio-economic profile followed by the sub-regional context. It also provides an overview of the spatial strategy as set out in the Core Strategy document. 1.3.4 Section 3 describes the current infrastructure position and any future needs across the Borough under the broad headings: Physical Infrastructure; Social Infrastructure; and Green Infrastructure Infrastructure and Delivery Plan November 2014 5 2 Blackpool in Context 2.1 Blackpool Mini Profile 2.1.4 Blackpool has a workforce of around 62,500 7 economically active people with an economy that is underpinned by tourism and the service 2.1.1 Blackpool is England’s largest and most popular seaside resort sector. The town is also an important administrative centre, attracting around 10 million adult visitors in 2013 4. It is also the main accommodating a number of large Government offices. There is no retail, public administration, cultural and service centre for the wider tradition of heavy industry; however the town’s small manufacturing Fylde Coast (population estimated to be around 326,000 5). Located in the sector includes local specialism in food and drink, and plastics. The main North West of England, Blackpool covers 35 km², with 11.2km of sea employment estates are largely located in the south of the Borough.. front. It supports a resident population of around 142,000 6 making it the most densely populated Borough in Lancashire. 2.1.5 The M55 connects the heart of the town to the national motorway network via Yeadon Way/Seasiders Way (Central Corridor). 2.1.2 Intensely urban and compact in form, Blackpool is characterised There are four railway stations within the Borough; Blackpool North, at its heart by the Resort Core and adjacent town centre, an area of some Blackpool South, Pleasure Beach and Layton. Almost 40% 8of Blackpool’s 5km². This contains the iconic Blackpool Tower, three piers, Winter households have no access to a car and rely primarily on public transport. Gardens and Golden Mile. The Resort Core also contains dense Blackpool International Airport is located on the edge of Blackpool’s neighbourhoods of holiday and residential accommodation. Blackpool’s southern boundary in Fylde and operates regular charter and scheduled extended period of development in the late 19th century and growing flights throughout the UK and to a number of European destinations, popularity in the early to mid 20th century has left a legacy of high quality carrying 262,630 passengers in 2013.9 late Victorian and early 20 th century commercial resort architecture 2.1.6 Whilst Blackpool remains at the heart of the UK tourism and 2.1.3 Elsewhere, Blackpool is predominantly residential in character, visitor economy, it has experienced a significant decline in visitor largely built up to its boundaries with the few remaining areas of open numbers from the 1980s onwards; a consequence of growing affluence, land located in the south and east of the Borough. enhanced consumer choice and the perceived obsolescence of the town’s visitor offer. Three decades of resort decline has lead to an under- performing economy, high levels of deprivation, an unbalanced housing 7 4 Omnibus 2013. Census 2011 8 5 Census 2012 Census 2011 6 Census 2012 9 Civil Aviation Authority 2013 Infrastructure and Delivery Plan November 2014 6 Figure 1: The Fylde Coast sub -region market and declining holiday areas . Blackpool is currently ranked as the 6th most deprived local authority in the country. 10 2.2 Sub-Regional Context 2.2.1 Blackpool lies within the Fylde Coast sub-region along with the neighbouring authority areas of Fylde and Wyre (see figure 1). The sub- region demonstrates a high level of self containment in terms of housing markets, travel to work patterns and economic functionality. 2.2.2 Identifying and addressing cross-boundary issues of infrastructure supply and demand is a key factor in achieving the future development and economic growth of the Blackpool and the wider sub-region. At a sub-regional level shared infrastructure issues include: • road capacity and infrastructure including the A585 and evaluating the M55 to Norcross Link (Blue Route); • improving rail accessibility to key national and regional centres and strengthening the role of the South Fylde rail line; • consideration of surface water drainage issues along the urban coastal belt; Duty to Co-operate/Memorandum of Understanding 2.2.3 The Government has introduced, through the Localism Act and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), a Duty to Co-operate on strategic planning issues 11 . 11 Section 110 of the Localism Act, which adds a new section (33A) into the Planning and Compulsory 10 2010 Index of Deprivation Purchase Act 2004 relating to the Duty to co-operate Infrastructure and Delivery Plan November 2014 7 2.2.4 The Duty to Co-operate applies to all local planning authorities supporting growth in South Blackpool.

Load more