Blackpool’s £365m Multiversity scheme due back before planners this month

Friday, 13 February 2026 17:04

By Richard Hunt

Blackpool’s multi-million pound Multiversity project will go back before the council’s planning committee this month as councillors consider various proposed changes.

The Blackpool Multiversity, a new £65 million, five-story higher education campus earmarked for the town centre on Cookson Street, was given planning permission last year and is expected to be completed in 2027.

Led by Blackpool and The Fylde College in partnership with Blackpool Council, it is backed by government funding and is designed to transform a large section of the town centre into a modern, high-tech learning hub, offering more than 70 courses.

Already, areas of housing around Charles Street, Cookson Street and George Street are being demolished in readiness for the construction work.

However, a planning application is to go before Blackpool Council’s Planning Committee on Tuesday February 24, seeking to vary several conditions on the original ‘reserved mtters’ (more detailed) planning permission.

Among the various amendments would be a shift of the building’s position by 2 metres.

The application also seeks to substitute approved plans and update associated technical submissions to allow for a reduction in roof height at the eastern end façade and changes to the external surface of the building.

Planning papers state: “The building footprint would still fall within the area for development that was approved at outline stage. It is therefore acceptable in principle.

“It would be set further to the south by 2m, but this would not have any materially different impact on any of the surrounding properties or the streetscene than the current approval, and is wholly acceptable.

“The building would primarily face to the north-west and address the public plaza area to the west and the existing open space to the north.

“The building shape has been amended from that approved under planning permission 24/0495 and would now present a splayed elevation to Cookson Street.

“Subject to the details of design, this is considered entirely acceptable in terms of layout and would be beneficial to access through improved visibility splay for vehicle egressing the servicing/parking area. “