Major decision made on apartments scheme for iconic Blackpool building

Ambitious proposals to create new apartments in one of Blackpool’s most iconic buildings have been give the green light by planners.

The former Woolworths building in Blackpool town centre recently housed a Sports Direct store and before that, Pricebusters, whilst on the ground floor there is the JD Wetherspoon pub, The Albert and the Lion.

With its tiled façade and striking clock tower, it is one of Blackpool’s finest Art Deco buildings.

In July last year, an application was submitted for use of the third, fourth and fifth floors as 38 self-contained apartments. Amendments then saw this being reduced to 32 apartments.

Now the scheme has been approved, subject to a 106 agreement which requires the applicants to make contributions to the provision of public open space and the development of a new GP surgery.

The latest decision means the building will house almost 60 apartments, as 24 have already been given the go ahead in the lower floors.

A large number of conditions are also included, relating to residential standards, noise attenuation, security measures and even nesting birds.

The apartments will include a mix of one-bed and two-bed apartments.

A report by the head of Blackpool Council’s Development Management said: “Current indications are that the Council cannot demonstrate a five year supply of housing land.

“This application proposes 32 new dwellings which would make a significant contribution towards meeting the borough’s identified housing needs. This carries significant weight in the planning balance.

“The scheme is considered to represent sustainable development and no other material planning considerations have been identified that would outweigh this assessment.

“On this basis, planning permission should be approved, subject to a number of conditions.

“It is also subject to entering into a section 106 agreement, which will take some time to draft and agree. “

The impressive building, which opens onto both Bank Hey Street and the Promenade , was first opened as one of the UK’s largest Woolworth buildings in 1938.

It was a stylish building, designed in the modern, linear style of the day and was one of Woolworths’ most prestigious stores.

The application lodged by Nottingham firm ALB Group is for the retention of windows at fifth floor, insertion of new windows to north elevation, along with the use of third, fourth and fifth floors as 32 self-contained apartments.

The latest plans are divided into one bed/one person flats, one bed/two person flats, almost 20 two-bedroom/three person flats and a small number of 2 bedroom /4 person flats within the building.

Access to the units would be via the existing ground floor entrance door which would incorporate secure bin storage provision. For completeness, no external alterations are proposed.

A planning statement on behalf of the applicants, prepared by planning agents Grace Machin, stated: “The Applicant is an experienced developer who would commit to creating a quality development that reflects its prominent position within Blackpool.

“The properties would be offered on the open-market available for rent and purchase and would be perfectly suited to all ages – young working people, small families, retirees, those in need of more affordable accommodation within walking distance of amenities.”

A Heritage statement noted: “Today, it is in use as a Wetherspoons pub, the Albert and Lion, that name being the one the building is now known by, which is reference to comic written by Marriott Edgar in 1932 and recorded by Stanley Holloway.”