Blackpool signs up local contractor for £10m council homes job

Blackpool council is to demolish 81 homes in the town which it says are in poor condition and replace them with 75 new units for affordable rent.

The £10m contract for the job on Troutbeck Crescent has been awarded to local construction firm RP Tyson, and work is expected to start in the autumn.

Designed by architect Cassidy + Acton, the development will consist of one-, two- and three-bedroom terraced houses, bungalows and apartments, all for affordable rent.

Once built the 2.3ha development will be managed by a local housing association, Blackpool Coastal Housing.

Blackpool council said the redevelopment was being done “in order to address the unpopularity and poor condition of the existing flats, meet the need for quality family homes for social rent and help to improve the neighbourhood environment”.

The scheme features accessible homes designed to enable independent living for residents with disabilities.

Under the plans, new pathways and walkways will be created and existing trees replanted as part of the landscaping scheme. The main frontage area will be a car-free environment to enhance the green space.

Lawrence McBurney, a director at Cassidy + Ashton, said: “The vision for this development is to provide modern affordable housing for the residents, as well as an impressive gateway into Blackpool.”

McBurney said his firm’s design would result in “larger than average social housing”, with additional features including utility rooms and raised private balconies.

In its 2018-23 housing strategy, Blackpool council said its plans to boost the delivery of new homes included identifying and releasing local authority-owned land to market, working with developers to deliver more high-quality housing for sale as well as with housing associations and developers to deliver more affordable housing. 

Blackpool recently completed the £22m revamp of the Queens Park estate (pictured right), which involved the complete demolition of the estate’s nearly 500 flats and their replacement by 191 new homes for council tenants.