New application for two rides close to South Pier after earlier refusal

Fresh proposals for two rides to operate either side of Blackpool’s famous South Pier have been submitted to planners months after being refused.

The Blackpool Pier company has lodged an application for a Certificate of Proposed Lawfulness (CLOPED) for the siting of two rides – a Log Flume and a Star Flyer – on either side of South Pier Headland area. 

They argue that these rides will prove a major attraction and help boost tourism.

Previously, a full planning application by the company was for the two rides to be in place for a period between April 1 and October 31 each year.

However, in refusing that application in September this year, Blackpool’s planning officer decreed that the proposals could not be accepted because they were contrary to a number of planning policies.

Prior to that, Blackpool Council’s planning committee had also refused to grant permission for the ride to remain on the Prom alongside South Pier, back in September 2018, after having given it temporary approval to be sited there on an earler occasion.

Now the applicants are back, this time with bid for a Certificate of Proposed Lawfulness,which would effectively mean they would not need actual planning permission.

And the applicants argue that the intended use of the land around south Pier is similar to the council’s own Christmas By the Sea, close to North Pier, which is again able to procede this year.

The statement, on behalf of the applicants, says: “The Council have applied for and granted themselves planning permission for the temporary use of land on the promenade for the “ Use of land as a Christmas market comprising stalls, rides and associated attractions for no more than 50 days (then with the second application) for 70 days between November and January inclusive on an annual basis for a period of 5 years.” 

“The applicant (South Pier Company) contends that there are significant parallels between these two applications and this application for a CLOPED, which justify the issuing of a CLOPED. “

The propsals are for the siting of two rides, one immediately to the south of South Pier and the other immediately to the north of South Pier. Each ride would be installed independently and would be in situ for a period between April 1 and October 31 each year. 

The Log Flume, comes in multiple formats, but essentially has a footprint of 42m by 18m and a height of 12 metres, with a total track length of some 220 m interwoven within the ‘mini lake’ setting. 

The Starflyer, to be sited on the south side of the Pier, is a 77m high ride.