On this page:
- Introduction
- Need for change
- Vision and objectives
- Green infrastructure and open space
- Movement and urban design
- Local centre
- Spatial framework
- Delivery
01. Introduction
Blackpool Council aims to improve housing across the inner rea, as set out in the council plan and local plan. Both highlight the need for significant change to ensure the built environment meets residents’ needs and supports wider regeneration.
Central Housing Regeneration Area Framework
The framework sets out the council’s ambition for regenerating the area and provides concepts to guide future activity, support funding bids, and attract private investment. The first version was approved in December 2024.
To improve housing quality and choice, a range of interventions may be used, including:
- Enforcement of private rented properties
- Selective acquisition and demolition
- Refurbishment and energy efficiency upgrades
- Acquisition and remodelling of homes
- Street greening
- Creation of public and private green spaces
The framework represents an early step toward delivering Blackpool’s long-term housing vision and supporting residents.
Blackpool central regeneration area boundary
Consultation to date
Spring 2025 consultation (online, focus groups, popup shop) reminded residents of previous design principles and gathered views on key Framework elements. Key findings:
- Most respondents were aware of regeneration plans but not of the framework itself
- Many respondents lived outside the Framework area but visited regularly
- 71% supported the planned regeneration
- Priorities included quality homes, more green infrastructure, and improvements to the local centre
September 2025 consultation (website survey and three drop-in sessions) highlighted:
- Support for building new homes and refurbishing existing ones
- Importance of neighbourhood management
- Desire for a mix of home types and private gardens
- Strong focus on affordable tenure options (e.g., rent to buy)
- Need for better public realm, greenery, and an improved local centre as a community hub
What we’re asking now
We are running the consultation to give as many people as possible the opportunity to have their say. Your feedback will shape the next stage of proposals, and every response matters.
You can answer a few questions to give us your feedback.
02. Need for change
The area is split into different zones, each with its own look and character. Each zone will be improved in a way that keeps its character and main use.
The images shows what the area looks like now and why regeneration is needed.
Character of area
- Terraced streets
- Central Drive
- Foxhall phase 3
- Foxhall
- Promenade
- Seasiders Way
03. Vision and objectives
Location plan
The vision
To improve our neighbourhood for residents and visitors by creating a vibrant, sustainable neighbourhood that celebrates Blackpool’s unique heritage and offers quality homes for everyone, which reflect the needs and priorities of the local community.
Objectives and design principles
Desirability - Creating appealing places with attractive streets, parks, and green spaces. Safe, welcoming, and affordable homes that reflect local character and heritage.
Community - To build a strong community by creating a neighbourhood to be proud of, with better shops, services, and support for local businesses.
Sustainability - To create a more sustainable place by creating energy-efficient homes, promoting greener travel and prioritising jobs, and opportunities for residents.
Deliverability - To ensure the vision can be delivered designs must be practical and flexible and can be built while following funding, council and government rules. Designs will also need to consider the sites physical limits to make sure designs can actually be built.
04. Green infrastructure and open space
Summary
The area currently has few parks or green spaces, which are vital for a healthy, attractive neighbourhood.
The framework aims to create a connected network of tree-lined streets, parks, squares, and play areas, while linking to existing green spaces. The plan above shows an overview of how this could be achieved.
Design principles
- Create a new linear park between Park Road and Central Drive
- Build a network of green streets
- Provide spaces for community events and meeting spots
- Add more play areas for children and teenagers
- Encourage nature and biodiversity
- Plant more trees throughout the area
05. Movement and urban design
Summary
A successful neighbourhood is easy and safe to move around. Currently, long streets, back alleys, and unclear routes make walking or cycling unattractive.
The framework will improve connections and create new routes, making the area safer, more attractive, and easier to navigate. The plan above shows how this could be achieved.
Design principles
- Improve links to the promenade, community facilities, green spaces, and local neighbourhoods with green, routes that are accessible for walking, wheeling and cycling
- Encourage walking and wheeling and reduce car use through better streets
- Create a pedestrian link between Central Drive and Park Road
- Introduce a new cycle lane along Central Drive
- Ensure all residents are close to play areas and open spaces
06. Local centre
The plan above shows where the local centre is.
What Central Drive is like now
Blackpool Council’s planning policies identify part of Central Drive as a local centre, which means it’s meant to be a hub for shops, cafés, restaurants, and other businesses.
A recent survey of the ground-floor properties in this area found:
- Most businesses are in old houses that were changed into shops, not purpose-built commercial spaces
- About 30% of businesses serve local daily needs (like corner shops, hairdressers, and pharmacies)
- Another 30% attract customers from outside the area (like dog groomers or clothing stores)
- Around 30% of the shop spaces are empty
What it could look like
We want to improve Central Drive and provide a better place to shop, meet and play for the local community and visitors.
The framework aims to create a high-quality area on Central Drive which could have shops, cafes, restaurants and other businesses as well as community facilities, open spaces and apartments.
Design principles for Central Drive
- New modern shop units
- Provide spaces for community events and meeting places
- More trees and planting
- More places to sit and meet with friends
- Improved pavements
- Improved pedestrian crossings
The aim for Central Drive is to create a vibrant hub for shopping and meeting which meets the day-to-day needs of local residents and supports sustainable communities.
0.7 Spatial framework plan
Summary
The diagram above shows the layout of the zones and ideas for each zone:
- Upgrades or redevelopment of buildings in each character zone
- New, attractive routes to community facilities and open spaces
- New play areas and community spaces
- A green link connecting Central Drive and Park Road
- Key gateway improvements at important locations
- Improved Central Drive local centre with new and refurbished buildings, community facilities, planting, and open spaces
08. Delivery
In March 2022, Blackpool was designated as a Levelling Up area because of the significant and complex challenges facing communities in inner Blackpool. Both central and local government are committed to taking largescale, coordinated action to help address these issues.
Blackpool Council will lead this work. Over the next 15+ years, major intervention will be driven by the public sector first, helping to attract private sector investment later. Securing private investment will show that the council has successfully improved the local housing market. A wide range of actions will be needed to improve housing quality and choice, including:
- Enforcing standards in private rented housing
- Buying and demolishing selected properties
- Refurbishing homes, including improving energy efficiency
- Buying and remodelling existing properties
- Adding street greening
- Creating new public and private green spaces
- This framework represents the early steps in reshaping Blackpool’s housing offer to support both the town’s growth ambitions and the needs of local residents
Other than phase 1 there is currently no other funding available to deliver specific projects within the area.
Phase 1: Central Housing Regeneration Area
In March 2024, government confirmed £90.4m of funding. This funding will support property acquisition, demolition, and redevelopment in Blackpool’s central area. This phase is recognised as the first step in a wider 15+ year regeneration programme for the inner area.
In March 2025, the council approved a defined boundary for the first round of property acquisitions, and all occupiers in the area were informed by letter. Early work will include:
- Buying land and property, with direct engagement and support for owners and occupiers
- Masterplanning and planning activities
- Ongoing engagement and public consultation
In the medium term, work will move to demolition of purchased properties followed by redevelopment, including new homes and improved public/green spaces.