Update given on £65m Multiversity project for Blackpool

Blackpool’s ambitious £65m Multiversity scheme is pressing ahead as planned – but the council is looking to ensure there are no potential hold-ups to slow the project down.

The council has agreed to implement statutory measures to prevent any complications arising from its compulsory purchase of land which has allowed the scene to proceed so far.

In order to get the new, state-of-the-art higher and technical education campus built in the town centre – through a partnership between Blackpool Council and Blackpool and the Fylde College -the development needed a large brownfield site.

To obtain the land needed for this sizable new building, Blackpool Council successfully applied to be able to use compulsory purchase order to acquire land bounded by George Street, Grosvenor Street, Milbourne Street and Cookson Street.

The homes on these streets, some of which have been deemed “poor housing”, are to be demolished.

At the latest Executive Meeting, it was agreed to appropriate for planning purposes the land bounded by those streets and thereby invoke section 203 and section 204 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 powers – and to override easements and other rights over the land.

Effectively, it means the developers would be able to continue with the work on the multiversity without being construed by various “third party rights”.

It was also agreed to delegate authority to the Director of Place to deal with the settlement of any claims for compensation over the compulsory purchase orders.

A report to the Executive committee stated: “ The engagement of these powers is considered to be proportionate and justified, to facilitate the development of the Subject Land thereby achieving the promotion and improvement of the economic, social and environmental well-being of the area.

“ Failure to invoke Section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 and subsequently convert any existing rights into compensation could result in significant delays to delivery of the development, putting the whole project or elements of it in jeopardy.”

The Multiversity campus for Blackpool and The Fylde College will bring up to 3,000 students and staff into an inspiring and aspirational new learning environment on Cookson Street.

Work will see demolition and clearance of the site taking place in phases over the next nine months, preparing it for construction to start next year.

Cllr Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council said: “The Multiversity is a major part of our plans to make Blackpool better, replacing the very poor housing and benefiting the area and town centre.

“The creation of a new college campus with thousands of students will not only brighten up the area considerably, but it will provide a massive economic boost to the town centre and create more jobs for Blackpool people.”