Massive update on plans for new Blackpool sports village

A multi-million pound community sports village for Blackpool has taken a major step forward as new details on the project emerge.

A planning application for the Revoe Community Sports Village project, which is primarily funded by £6.5 million from the UK Government’s Town Deal, has this week been submitted to Blackpool Council, which is working with Blackpool FC and Blackpool FC Community Trust.

The scheme includes the provision of two 7- a-side synthetic 3G football pitches, two padel courts and a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and associated floodlighting.

A 3G (third-generation) football pitch is a modern, high-performance synthetic turf surface designed to replicate natural grass, featuring long fibers (40mm-60mm) infilled with sand and rubber crumb. They offer durable, all-weather play for training and competitive matches.

In addition, the plans also include proposed enclosures and boundary treatments, hard and soft landscaping, car parking and installation of two storage containers and associated works.

A Planning, Design and Access Statement in support of the project stated: “This project will support sport and community provision by creating new facilities adjacent to Blackpool Football Club’s Bloomfield Road stadium.

“The Council is working alongside Blackpool Football Club and the BFC Community Trust to implement and subsequently operate the development.”

It concludes: “The proposals are considered to represent appropriate development which supports the overall aims of the Local Authority in improving access to sports facilities to support the health and wellbeing of the local community.

“For these reasons, it is considered that full planning permission for the proposed development should be granted. “

The statement says: “All of the pitches would have associated floodlighting and two storage containers to be installed on-site would allow for equipment storage.

“The 3G pitch is designed to be configured as either two 7-a-side or four 5-a-side pitches, to FA standards.

“Each pitch will be bound by 4.5m high weld mesh fencing with floodlighting provided.

“It is proposed that the facilities would be open between 9am and 9pm daily. This reflects the opening hours of other 3G pitch facilities in Blackpool. The pitches would not be in use when first team home games are being played to mitigate any potential impact on traffic.”

The BFCCT will manage the use of the facilities once operational. This will include facilities for educational provision and other sports programmes.

In respect of the 3G pitches, the Blackpool Football Club Ladies and Girls grassroots teams are expected to utilise the facilities as will the FA Girl’s Emerging Talent Centre, which is the Fylde Coast’s centre of excellence.

Bookable slots will be offered to local schools and junior grassroots football clubs, to utilise the space and hire facilities. The Community Trust will also be exploring options for developing some competitive opportunities, such as matches and tournaments.

Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Built Environment and Economy, said the project was part of the council’s aim to improve the area around Central Drive with quality housing and green space.

He said: “While our housing projects are about providing better homes for people to live in, this (sports) project is about improving the healthy lifestyles of people who live centrally, by creating community sports facilities for everybody to enjoy.

“The project will also help the football club’s community trust to increase its offer to local people, while also facilitating improvements to the East Stand to make the area around the football stadium a nicer place to visit.”