New plans unveiled to level up Blackpool

Michael Gove has unveiled new measures to help improve the lives of people in Blackpool by turning the tide on deprivation in one of the UK’s most iconic seaside towns.

Blackpool, which has eight of the 10 most deprived neighbourhoods in England, will now receive Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities support to deliver a root and branch transformation of the town.

The package includes a crackdown on rogue landlords by scaling up the local enforcement team to deliver more action on those not meeting current standards and a transformative King’s Cross style regeneration programme to create beautiful new homes and turbocharge tourism in the area.

Homes England will work at pace with local leaders on the ground to find exciting new opportunities for regeneration, delivering new homes and jobs for the community. The area will have access to the £1.5 billion Brownfield Fund, to kickstart regeneration of unused land and build new homes and communities.

Gove said: “For too long great British towns like Blackpool have been held back by deeply entrenched problems that impact the everyday lives of local families - and we are working to put that right. Our levelling up plan will help transform this proud coastal town and deliver real change for thousands of families across Blackpool.”

Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council, said: “We are very pleased that the government is putting Blackpool at the forefront of its Levelling Up agenda. Locally, we have developed a unique partnership with business and the voluntary sector. Our ask of government was to work with this partnership to help deliver a step change that will transform the lives of our residents and our communities.

“As a local authority, we have already achieved a great deal and demonstrated that we can deliver real and lasting change if we have the required funding and support from central government. We are hugely encouraged that Ministers have recognised that potential and our ability to deliver, and are willing to commit to a long-term partnership that will support the regeneration of this wonderful town. We look forward to starting that journey together in the weeks and months ahead.”