Council urged to rethink knocking down 300 homes

A council has been urged to rethink its £90m plans to regenerate an area of Blackpool that could see many people's homes demolished and rebuilt.

Members of the public stood up during last week's town hall meeting of Blackpool Council to criticise its Central Housing Regeneration Scheme, which includes plans for Revoe, one of the town's most deprived areas.

The scheme involves knocking down 300 homes and building 230 modern houses in Revoe, but critics said the "destruction of valuable homes" would undermine efforts to cut waiting lists for social housing.

The council said the project would "solve the problem of poor housing and tackle the deprivation which is holding the area back".

William Banks was among the people who voiced their concerns, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"Blackpool Council currently has a waiting list of anywhere up to 15,000 people for social housing," Banks said.

"How can this council justify the destruction of valuable homes when thousands of our own citizens are desperate for a roof over their heads?"

He suggested refurbishing the houses already there instead of "bulldozing" them.

"Stop the demolition and start refurbishment," he said.

Blackpool Council leader Lynn Williams responded by saying she knew it was "an emotional and incredibly difficult process" for the people affected, but she disagreed with the criticism.

"The reality is that this part of Revoe contains some of the poorest quality housing in Blackpool," she said.

"It is an area dominated by the private rental sector, with around 80% of the properties privately rented.

"It has experienced long term challenges relating to housing quality, environmental conditions and community sustainability."

She added the funding from Homes England was awarded to "deliver comprehensive regeneration and redevelopment".

"Even if every property was refurbished tomorrow, it would not create those gardens, green spaces, improved street layout and environment enhancement essential for this area.

"We need to create a better area not just for today but for future generations."

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