Planning in Blackpool

Sustainable Neighbourhoods

1. To secure a better quality of life for residents and to deliver sustainable neighbourhoods, the Council will support development and investment which: a. Provides high quality housing with an appropriate mix of types and tenures to meet the needs and aspirations of existing and future residents and assists with rebalancing the housing market b. Provides high quality community facilities accessible to all members of the community c. Contributes to an efficient, multi-modal transport network to enable easy access to a range of jobs and services d. Creates a healthy, safe, secure and attractive environment and public realm, which promotes local pride and a sense of place e. Reflects the built heritage of the neighbourhoods and conserves and enhances the significance of heritage assets and their settings. f. Addresses the need for a balanced provision of resident and visitor parking alongside streetscape enhancement. 2. Neighbourhood regeneration and improvement will focus on: a. Neighbourhoods within the inner area

Sustainable Neighbourhoods

1. To secure a better quality of life for residents and to deliver sustainable neighbourhoods, the Council will support development and investment which: a. Provides high quality housing with an appropriate mix of types and tenures to meet the needs and aspirations of existing and future residents and assists with rebalancing the housing market b. Provides high quality community facilities accessible to all members of the community c. Contributes to an efficient, multi-modal transport network to enable easy access to a range of jobs and services d. Creates a healthy, safe, secure and attractive environment and public realm, which promotes local pride and a sense of place e. Reflects the built heritage of the neighbourhoods and conserves and enhances the significance of heritage assets and their settings. f. Addresses the need for a balanced provision of resident and visitor parking alongside streetscape enhancement. 2. Neighbourhood regeneration and improvement will focus on: a. Neighbourhoods within the inner area, including the mixed holiday and residential neighbourhoods of North Beach, Foxhall and South Beach, and the predominantly residential neighbourhoods of Claremont, Talbot and Brunswick, Revoe and St Heliers b. The outer estate priority neighbourhoods of Queens Park, Grange Park, Mereside, and Kincraig. 3. To support development and investment in these neighbourhoods the Council will address the problems and challenges associated with poor quality housing and unauthorised residential use through wider housing, planning and enforcement initiatives, including: a. Opportunities for selective intervention to improve the quality and mix of existing housing stock b. Providing assistance with site assembly where required to facilitate major redevelopment schemes, including the selective or comprehensive redevelopment of key sites.

Health and Education

1. Development will be supported that encourages healthy and active lifestyles and addresses the Council's health priorities. This includes co-located, more integrated health and education facilities, increasing community access and participation, and reducing the need to travel. 2. In order to provide accessible healthcare to Blackpool's communities, proposals will be supported that complement existing health care facilities currently concentrated at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, the three supporting primary care centres in south, central and north Blackpool and smaller local delivery primary care units. 3. Contributions will be sought from developers towards the provision of health facilities where their development would impact on the capacity of existing healthcare provision. 4. Development will be supported that enables the provision of high quality new and improved education facilities. This will include: a. The expansion, modernisation and enhancement of Blackpool's higher and further education facilities, working closely with the relevant establishments; b. The remodelling, extension or rebuilding of schools in Blackpool. 5. Contributions will be sought from developers towards the provision of school places where their development would impact on the capacity of existing schools.

Traveller Sites

1. The target for new permanent and transit pitches and plots will be set out in the Blackpool Local Plan Part 2: Site Allocations and Development Management document, according to the most recent Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Needs Assessment agreed by the Council. 2. The following criteria will be used to guide land supply allocations and to provide the basis for determining planning applications that may come forward. Proposed sites should meet all the following criteria. A traveller site must: a. Be suitable in that it provides a good living environment for residents, including access to essential infrastructure and services and does not cause an unacceptable environmental impact; b. Be appropriately located taking into account surrounding uses, with preference given to sites being located on brownfield land; c. Not cause demonstrable harm to the quality, character and appearance of the landscape taking account of the cumulative impact of other authorised sites in the vicinity; d. Be of a size and scale appropriate to the size and density of the local settled community; e. Have good access to transport links, public transport and be close to shops, schools, jobs, health and local services and other community facilities; f. Have safe and convenient vehicular and pedestrian access from the highway and provide adequate space for the provision of parking, turning, servicing, storage and land for associated livestock where appropriate; g. Be well designed and landscaped to give privacy between pitches/plots, and between sites and neighbouring properties and to avoid harmful impacts by noise, light, vehicular movements and other activities; and h. Provide soft landscaping and where appropriate communal recreational areas for children. 3. The detailed design of the traveller site should take account of current best practice guidance

Quality of Design

High quality, well designed developments that contribute positively to the character and appearance of the local, natural and built environment

Quality of Design

1. New development in Blackpool is required to be well designed, and enhance the character and appearance of the local area and should: a. Be appropriate in terms of scale, mass, height, layout, density, appearance, materials and relationship to adjoining buildings b. Ensure that amenities of nearby residents and potential occupiers are not adversely affected c. Provide public and private spaces that are well-designed, safe, attractive, and complement the built form d. Be accessible to special groups in the community such as those with disabilities and the elderly e. Maximise natural surveillance and active frontages, minimising opportunities for anti-social and criminal behaviour f. Incorporate well integrated car parking, pedestrian routes and cycle routes and facilities g. Provide appropriate green infrastructure including green spaces, landscaping and quality public realm as an integral part of the development h. Be flexible to respond to future social, technological and economic needs. 2. Development will not be permitted that causes unacceptable effects by reason of visual intrusion, overlooking, shading, noise and light pollution or any other adverse local impact on local character or amenity. 3. Contemporary and innovative expressions of design will be supported, where appropriate.

South Blackpool Employment Growth

The Council will support: 1. Redevelopment of existing employment sites within South Blackpool to provide high quality modern business/industrial facilities (Class B uses) 2. Proposals for major new business/industrial development (Class B uses) in principle at sustainable locations within wider lands at South Blackpool to support sub-regional economic growth, including: a. Blackpool Airport Corridor b. Lands close to Junction 4 of the M55

Economic Development and Employment

1. Sustainable economic development will be promoted to strengthen the local economy and meet the employment needs of Blackpool and the Fylde Coast Sub-Region to 2027, with the focus on: a. Safeguarding around 180 hectares of existing industrial/business land for employment use; and enhancing these sites with new employment development on remaining available land and through opportunities for redevelopment b. Promoting office development, enterprise and business start-ups in Blackpool Town Centre including the Central Business District c. Promoting land in South Blackpool as a strategic priority, to help strengthen the Fylde Coast economy and make an important contribution towards meeting the future employment needs of Blackpool residents 2. To improve employment opportunities for Blackpool residents the focus will be to: a. Develop and deliver an effective skills agenda to ensure local people have the necessary skills; improve aspirations and opportunities for people to move into work; and retain skilled people in Blackpool b. Secure inward investment into Blackpool including Public Sector and Government Department relocation opportunities c. Nurture and support responsible entrepreneurship by facilitating a culture of enterprise and promoting Blackpool as a great place for start-up businesses

Sustainable Design and Renewable and Low Carbon Energy

1. To mitigate the impacts of climate change, minimise carbon emissions and ensure buildings are energy efficient, non-residential developments must follow the principle of the energy hierarchy, which is to: a. Reduce the need for energy by taking all reasonable steps to locate and orientate buildings to incorporate passive environmental design for heating, cooling, ventilation, and natural day-lighting; b. Minimise energy use by ensuring appropriate energy efficient measures are integral to development proposals; c. Investigate opportunities to include renewable and low carbon energy provision. 2. The development of renewable, low carbon, or decentralised energy schemes, excluding wind turbines will be supported where proposals: a. Are located appropriately and do not cause an unacceptable impact on surrounding uses or the local environment, landscape character or visual appearance of the area, taking into account the cumulative impact of other energy generation schemes; and b. Mitigate any potential noise, odour, traffic or other impacts of the development so as not to cause an unacceptable impact on the environment or local amenity. 3. For development involving one or more wind turbine, planning permission will only be granted where: a. the development site is in an area identified as suitable for wind energy development in the Blackpool Local Plan Part 2: Site Allocations and Development Management Policies DPD and; b. following consultation, it can be demonstrated that the planning impacts identified by affected local communities have been fully addressed and therefore the proposal has their backing. 4. All new non-residential development over 1,000m2 will be required to achieve BREEAM 'very good' (or any future national equivalent)

Green Infrastructure

All development to incorporate new or enhance existing green infrastructure of an appropriate size, type and standard

Water Management

1. To reduce flood risk, manage the impacts of flooding and mitigate the effects of climate change, all new development must: a. Be directed away from areas at risk of flooding, through the application of the Sequential Test and where necessary the Exception Test, taking account of all sources of flooding; b. Incorporate appropriate mitigation and resilience measures to minimise the risk and impact of flooding from all sources; c. Incorporate appropriate Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) where surface water run-off will be generated; d. Where appropriate, not discharge surface water into the existing combined sewer network. If unavoidable, development must reduce the volume of surface water run-off discharging from the existing site in to the combined sewer system by as much as is reasonably practicable; e. Make efficient use of water resources; and f. Not cause a deterioration of water quality. 2. Where appropriate, the retro-fitting of SuDS will be supported in locations that generate surface water run-off.

Green Infrastructure

1. High-quality and well connected networks of green infrastructure in Blackpool will be achieved by: a. Protecting existing green infrastructure networks and existing areas of Green Belt. The loss of green infrastructure will only be acceptable in exceptional circumstances where it is allowed for as part of an adopted Development Plan Document; or where provision is made for appropriate compensatory measures, mitigation or replacement; or in line with national planning policy. In terms of existing open space, sports and recreational buildings and land, including playing fields, these will be protected unless the requirements of paragraph 74 of the NPPF are met. In terms of Green Belt areas, the Council will apply national policy to protect their openness and character, and retain the local distinctiveness. There is no planned strategic review of the existing Green Belt boundary during the plan period. b. Enhancing the quality, accessibility and functionality of green infrastructure and where possible providing net gains in biodiversity. c. Creating new accessible green infrastructure as part of new development and supporting urban greening measures within the built environment. d. Connecting green infrastructure with the built environment and with other open space including the creation, extension or enhancement of greenways, green corridors and public rights of way. 2. All development should incorporate new or enhance existing green infrastructure of an appropriate size, type and standard. Where on-site provision is not possible, financial contributions will be sought to make appropriate provision for open space and green infrastructure. 3. International, national and local sites of biological and geological conservation importance will be protected having regard to the hierarchy of designated sites and the potential for appropriate mitigation. Measures that seek to preserve, restore and enhance local ecological networks and priority habitats/species will be required where necessary.

Heritage

Safeguard heritage assets from inappropriate development

Heritage

1. Development proposals will be supported which respect and draw inspiration from Blackpool's built, social and cultural heritage, complementing its rich history with new development to widen its appeal to residents and visitors. 2. Proposals will be supported that: a. Retain, reuse or convert, whilst conserving and enhancing the significance of designated and non-designated heritage assets and their setting. b. Enhance the setting and views of heritage assets through appropriate design and layout of new development and design of public realm c. Strengthen the existing townscape character created by historic buildings 3. Developers must demonstrate how any development affecting heritage assets (including conservation areas) will conserve and enhance the asset, its significance and its setting.

South Blackpool Housing Growth

1. Land is identified at Whyndyke (Mythop Road) and Moss House Road to provide around 750 new dwellings. Development will be required to provide quality housing of a type and mix that complements rather than competes with the form of housing being delivered in the inner areas. 2. The Council will work with Fylde Borough Council, the Environment Agency and utility providers to ensure that any housing development on adjoining lands around Junction 4 of the M55 most appropriately manages the impact on the existing surface water and waste water network within Blackpool.

Housing Mix, Density and Standards

New residential development will be required to provide an appropriate mix of quality homes which help to rebalance Blackpool's housing supply and support sustainable communities, by: 1. Including a mix of house types and sizes, having regard to the specific character, location and viability of the site. The normal requirement is as follows: a. On sites greater than 1 hectare, a maximum of 10% of all homes should be one bedroom, at least 20% of all homes should be two bedrooms; and at least 20% of homes should be three bedrooms or larger, in order to achieve a balanced mix of dwelling sizes within the development; b. On sites between 0.2 and 1 hectare, a mix of dwelling sizes is required within the site, or the proposal should contribute towards a balanced mix of provision in the surrounding area; c. On all sites, new flat developments will not be permitted which would further intensify existing over-concentrations of such accommodation and conflict with wider efforts for the comprehensive improvement of the neighbourhood. Developments including more than 10 flats are unlikely to be acceptable on sites in the inner area away from the seafront and town centre. Where flat developments are permitted, at least 70% of flat accommodation should be 2 bedrooms or more. 2. Providing quality living accommodation, which meets the relevant standards in place for conversions or new build development. 3. Making efficient use of land, with an optimum density appropriate to the characteristics of the site and its surrounding area. Higher densities will be supported in main centres and on public transport corridors.

Affordable Housing

1. All market and specialist housing developments, including conversions, creating a net increase of three dwellings or more will be required to provide affordable housing (either on-site or off-site) or make a financial contribution towards affordable housing provision. Developments within the defined inner area are exempt from this requirement. 2. Affordable housing should normally be provided as follows: a. Where developments would comprise 15 dwellings or more, or on sites of 0.5 hectares or more, the requirement is 30% of the total number of dwellings created. On-site provision will be sought where possible. Off-site provision, or a financial contribution of broadly equivalent value, will be considered instead of on-site provision where the site is unsuitable for affordable housing, or where this would be more effective in delivering affordable housing to support Blackpool's regeneration objectives; b. Where developments are on sites less than 0.5 hectares and would comprise 3-14 dwellings, then a financial contribution towards off-site provision will be sought. This contribution level will be set out in the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), in accordance with the most recent viability assessment and the latest government guidance; c. Where the above requirements cannot be met in full as they would render a development unviable, and this has been robustly justified with the submission of a viability appraisal, then an alternative level of provision may be negotiated. 3. Where affordable housing units are being provided for in a development, they will be expected to deliver a mix of homes that meet current housing needs, of similar size and quality to equivalent market housing. The tenure mix will depend on the location of the site although the general requirement will be for a mix of social rented and intermediate housing for sale or for rent. Further guidance on dwelling size, type, design and tenure mix will be provided in the Affordable Housing SPD. 4. The Affordable Housing SPD will also provide guidance on the approach to: a. Phasing b. Ensuring Affordability c. Calculating financial contributions

Housing Provision

Provision will be made for the delivery of 4200 (net) new homes in Blackpool between 2012 and 2027. These new homes will be located on: ■ Identified sites within the existing urban area, including major regeneration sites; ■ Identified sites within the South Blackpool Growth area; and ■ Windfall sites

Marton Moss

1. The character of the remaining lands at Marton Moss is integral to the local distinctiveness of Blackpool and as such is valued by the local community. A neighbourhood planning approach will be promoted for this area to develop neighbourhood policy which supports the retention and enhancement of the distinctive character, whilst identifying in what circumstances development including residential may be acceptable. 2. Prior to developing a local policy framework through the neighbourhood planning process development on the remaining lands of the Moss will be limited to: a. Conversion or change of use of existing buildings for agricultural or horticultural purposes b. Outdoor recreational uses appropriate to a rural area c. New homes that meet the requirements of NPPF paragraph 55 d. Extensions or replacement dwellings in keeping with the scale and character of the area and not exceeding 35% of the original ground floor footprint of the existing dwelling.

Planning Obligations

1. Development will only be permitted where existing infrastructure, services and amenities are already sufficient, or where the developer enters into a legal undertaking or agreement to meet the additional needs arising from the development. 2. Where appropriate, planning contributions will be sought in connection with a development to ensure that: a. The particular facilities required for the proposed development, including the provision of necessary infrastructure, services and community facilities are met b. Any damaging impact on the environment or local amenity arising from the proposed development can be overcome.

Strategic Location of Development

1. To deliver the Core Strategy vision the overarching spatial focus for Blackpool is regeneration and supporting growth. 2. Blackpool's future growth, development and investment will be focused on inner area regeneration, comprising: a. Blackpool Town Centre, including the three strategic sites of Central Business District, Winter Gardens and Leisure Quarter b. The Resort Core, containing the promenade and the majority of resort attractions and facilities, holiday accommodation and major points of arrival c. Neighbourhoods within the inner areas, including mixed holiday and residential neighbourhoods adjacent to the seafront, and predominately residential neighbourhoods on the edge of the inner areas. 3. Supporting growth in South Blackpool will be promoted to help meet wider housing and employment needs, whilst recognising the important character of remaining lands at Marton Moss, identified as a strategic site.

Presumption In Favour Of Sustainable Development

1. When considering development proposals, the Council will take a positive approach that reflects the presumption in favour of sustainable development contained in the National Planning Policy Framework. It will always work pro-actively with applicants jointly to find solutions which mean that proposals can be approved wherever possible, and to secure development that improves the economic, social and environmental conditions in the area. 2. Planning applications that accord with the policies in this Local Plan (and, where relevant, with policies in neighbourhood plans) will be approved without delay, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. 3. Where there are no policies relevant to the application or relevant policies are out of date at the time of making the decision then the Council will grant permission unless material considerations indicate otherwise - taking into account whether: a. Any adverse impacts of granting permission would significantly and demonstratably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in the National Planning Policy Framework taken as a whole; or b. Specific policies in that Framework indicate that development should be restricted.

Blackpool Town Centre

1. To re-establish the town centre as the first choice shopping destination for Fylde Coast residents and to strengthen it as a cultural, leisure and business destination for residents and visitors, new development, investment and enhancement will be supported which helps to re-brand the town centre by: a. Strengthening the retail offer with new retail development, with the principal retail core being the main focus for major retail development b. Introducing quality cafes and restaurants to develop a café culture c. Conserving and enhancing key heritage and entertainment assets within the town centre and complementing these with new innovative development d. Growing an office sector to create an attractive centre to do business e. Enhancing the quality of buildings, streets and spaces and connecting the different areas of the town centre, including the seafront, to improve pedestrian movement and improve connections with adjoining resort and residential areas f. Improving access to the town centre with vibrant and welcoming multi-modal transport gateways g. Introducing a high quality residential offer in the longer term 2. Assistance will be provided to assemble sites and properties where required to facilitate major redevelopment.

Winter Gardens

1. Major refurbishment will be promoted and encouraged to enhance the appeal and status of the Winter Gardens as a year round entertainment, leisure and conference venue. 2. Proposals must be presented in the context of a comprehensive approach, sustain and enhance the significance of the Grade 2* Listed Building and conform to the Winter Gardens Conservation Management Plan. 3. The following will be supported: a. Improved theatre, conference and exhibition facilities including maintenance of existing venues b. Leisure and entertainment uses which could include cinema, casino, museum, restaurants and cafes c. Limited retail uses that complement the role of the Winter Gardens and functionally integrate with the adjacent town centre retail core d. Hotel/Serviced Apartments e. Improved car and cycle parking

Central Business District (Talbot Gateway)

1. Comprehensive redevelopment of the Central Business District will be promoted and encouraged for mixed-use development which will become an important anchor for the north of the town centre; providing a welcoming arrival experience, connecting with the wider town centre and complementing its retail offer. 2. The following uses will be supported: a. A public transport interchange around a re-modelled railway station and enhanced pedestrian environment b. Retail development that supports the existing major foodstore, including cafes and restaurants c. Offices d. Police Headquarters e. Law Courts f. Improved public car park provision for the wider town centre g. Hotels h. Residential 3. In addition to new development, proposals to improve the appearance of existing buildings will be supported.

Leisure Quarter

1. Comprehensive redevelopment of the entire site will be promoted and encouraged for major leisure development of national significance; where the cumulative impact of a single or group of leisure uses will provide a compelling new reason to visit Blackpool. 2. The development must: a. Demonstrate the highest design quality, through creative architecture, urban design and public realm that creates a landmark attraction which responds to Blackpool's historic townscape and character b. Integrate with and support, whilst not undermining existing resort core uses and attractions c. Provide ease of access, good vehicular and public transport connections, quality arrival points and adequate parking facilities (to serve the development and town centre) d. Improve pedestrian permeability by creating strong active connections through the site, and between the site and the town centre, seafront, central corridor and surrounding resort neighbourhoods e. Promote sustainable development through design, access, energy conservation and operational management. 3. Complementary leisure uses, hotel development, ancillary retail, parking and servicing that would add value and support the major leisure development will be permitted. 4. Development proposals may be phased but must not be piecemeal in approach. If all reasonable measures have been taken to redevelop the entire site, and this is not possible, the retention and improvement of existing buildings will be allowed provided the scheme meets the development objectives set out in the supporting Development Brief.

Leisure and Business Tourism

1. In order to physically and economically regenerate Blackpool's resort core and town centre, the focus will be on strengthening the resort's appeal to attract new audiences year round. This will be achieved by supporting: a. Proposals for new high quality tourism attractions focused on the town centre and resort core, including major development opportunities which have the potential to become wider catalysts for regeneration to improve the visitor experience b. Proposals for new visitor accommodation focused on the town centre, resort core and defined holiday accommodation areas, unless exceptional circumstances justify a peripheral location outside these areas c. The improvement and enhancement of important existing tourist attractions d. The improvement of existing holiday accommodation and giving marginal, lower quality guesthouses the opportunity to convert to high quality residential accommodation outside the defined holiday accommodation areas. e. New development along the promenade's built frontage which complements the high quality public realm investment along the promenade to enhance the appearance of Blackpool's seafront f. The enhancement of existing and promotion of new venues and events spaces which can accommodate a year round programme of events, festivals and conferences. 2. Elsewhere, outside the resort core and town centre, the Council will support new tourism investment that is predominantly focused on existing outdoor leisure and recreation facilities which strengthens the wider resort offer and does not undermine resort regeneration.

Managing Holiday Bed Spaces

To achieve an economically viable level of quality holiday accommodation, the following approach will be adopted to manage a reduction in the oversupply of poor quality holiday bed-spaces: 1. Within the main holiday accommodation areas defined in the SPD: a. Existing holiday accommodation use will be safeguarded and new or refurbished holiday accommodation will be supported b. Change of use from holiday accommodation, or the loss of sites used, or last used, as holiday accommodation, will be resisted unless: i. Exceptional circumstances are demonstrated in accordance with the SPD, or ii. In relation to a promenade frontage, the proposal would provide high quality holiday accommodation alongside a supporting new residential offer. Such proposals would need to comply with the requirements of the SPD. 2. Outside the main holiday accommodation areas: a. Where existing holiday accommodation is viable its retention will be supported, including measures to improve the quality of accommodation b. Change of use from holiday accommodation to permanent residential use will be permitted where proposals provide high quality homes which comply with the Council's standards for conversions or new build, and relate well in use, scale and appearance to neighbouring properties. 3. Within the key promenade hotel frontages defined in the SPD, holiday accommodation use will be safeguarded and appropriate measures to enhance the character and appearance of existing hotel buildings and frontages will be supported, to help sustain the long term future of the resort.

Retail and Other Town Centre Uses

1. In order to strengthen Blackpool Town Centre's role as the sub-regional centre for retail on the Fylde Coast, its vitality and viability will be safeguarded and improved by: a. Focusing new major retail development in the town centre to strengthen the offer and improve the quality of the shopping experience b. The preparation and implementation of a Town Centre Strategy and Action Plan, working with stakeholders to arrest decline and restore confidence in the town centre 2. For Town, District and Local Centres within the Borough, retail and other town centre uses will be supported where they are appropriate to the scale, role and function of the centre. 3. In edge of centre and out of centre locations, proposals for new retail development and other town centre uses will only be permitted where it can be demonstrated that: a. It is a tourism attraction located in the Resort Core in accordance with policy CS21; or b. There are no more centrally located/sequentially preferable, appropriate sites available for the development; and c. The proposal would not cause significant adverse impact on existing centres; and d. The proposal would not undermine the Council's strategies and proposals for regenerating its centres; and e. The proposal will be readily accessible by public transport and other sustainable transport modes 4. The Council, through the Site Allocations and Development Management DPD, will identify a range of sites for new retail development in Blackpool Town Centre to allow for new comparison goods floorspace over the plan period.

Connectivity

New developments should be in locations that are easily accessible by sustainable transport modes.

Key Resort Gateways

1. Proposals will be promoted and pursued for further improvement, remodelling and environmental enhancement of Central Corridor as a key strategic gateway to Blackpool and attractive point of arrival, including: a. Redevelopment of land within and adjoining the Corridor which creates attractive development frontages viewed from the Corridor; b. Improved vehicular, pedestrian and cycling linkages through the Corridor and extending the network of green infrastructure; c. Improved parking and reception facilities; d. Enhanced landscaping, signage, lighting and security. 2. Proposals for improvement and development will be supported to regenerate Central Drive, Lytham Road, Dickson Road and Talbot Road as prominent and attractive gateways to the resort and town centre, including: a. Replacing existing poor quality, seasonal and transient uses with more viable uses, including quality residential uses on those frontages outside a defined retail centre; b. Improvements to buildings and shop frontages; c. High quality public realm, landscaping, signage, lighting and security; d. Traffic calming and improved public transport, pedestrian and cycling provision. 3. To facilitate major redevelopment schemes assistance will be provided to assemble sites and properties where appropriate. 4. Any change in parking provision as a result of major redevelopment must not undermine the resort's ability to accommodate visitor trips.

South Blackpool Transport and Connectivity

1. Development proposals in South Blackpool will be required to prioritise sustainable modes of transport between homes, jobs and supporting community facilities. 2. Convenient access to public transport and improved pedestrian and cycle infrastructure are required to support major housing and employment growth in this area. This includes: a. linking to and extending the existing network of routes within and to/from the area; b. creating direct rapid transport connections with the town centre and employment areas; c. preparing, implementing and monitoring Travel Plans; d. improved access and parking for Blackpool Airport and improved links between the airport and sustainable modes of transport.

Connectivity

A sustainable, high quality transport network for Blackpool and a quality arrival experience will be achieved by the following measures: 1. The provision of a modern, frequent, convenient and well-integrated public transport network by: a. Working with Network Rail and operators to: i. facilitate increased rail capacity and frequency on the Blackpool – Preston – Manchester line and new services including direct services to major destinations; ii. upgrade the South Fylde line, increasing capacity and frequency of services; and iii. provide major enhancement of all rail arrival points, particularly Blackpool North Station. b. Providing a new tram link from the promenade to Blackpool North Station and maintain options to link the tram network to the South Fylde Line. c. Working with bus operators and developers to provide enhanced bus services with efficient, comprehensive routing served by high quality infrastructure, providing bus priority measures where appropriate to enable services to operate efficiently. d. Working with coach operators and developers to provide sufficient, high quality, conveniently located coach passenger facilities and coach parking. 2. Encouraging integration of Blackpool Airport with public transport modes, enabling efficient passenger connections and onward journeys to and from the town and wider airport catchment; and supporting improvements to airport parking and the expansion of routes. 3. Improving interchange between transport modes by providing improved high quality infrastructure including buildings, facilities and public realm, making transport interchange easy and convenient for all users. 4. Reducing road congestion by eliminating identified 'pinch-points'; providing long-term solutions to structural issues where these arise at bridges and other infrastructure assets; and providing advanced directional signage on all main routes. 5. Addressing parking capacity issues by providing sufficient, high quality and conveniently located car parks, to support the town centre and resort economy and address wider issues of parking provision across the Borough. 6. Developing a safe, enhanced and extended network of pedestrian and cycle routes to increase the proportion of journeys made on foot or bike by: a. Connecting neighbourhoods with the town centre, district and local centres, employment sites and community facilities, green spaces and adjoining countryside; b. Providing the town centre and resort core with new and improved convenient pedestrian and cycle links between main car parks, transport hubs, major attractions and development sites; and c. Providing suitable levels of secure cycle parking at new developments and public transport hubs as well as links to existing networks, where feasible. 7. Providing improved, clear and co-ordinated signage for all transport modes and visitor information, particularly within the town centre and resort core, to ease movement and provide a clear sense of orientation and direction. 8. Changing travel behaviour by pro-actively working with developers and other organisations to increase the proportion of journeys that use sustainable transport, while working with residents and businesses to reduce the need for work related journeys where alternative means or technologies make this possible.