Delay to multiversity plans as survey finds electricity cable

A further 30-day public consultation is to be held over plans to build a £65m education campus in Blackpool town centre.

The proposals to redevelop a site between Cookson Street, Milbourne Street, Grosvenor Street and George Street as a multiversity have been slightly revised after surveys found a major electricity cable on the land.

It has been decided to move phase 1 of the scheme by 1.75 metres to the north rather than have to dig up the high-voltage cable on Charles Street. But this means the application must go out for consultation again for a further 30-day period.

A hybrid planning application for the scheme was submitted to the council last November.It is seeking full permission for demolition of existing buildings and structures, and outline permission for the construction of a new education campus, along with public realm and car parking.

A letter from commercial real estate company Avison Young says: "Following further survey work at the site it has become apparent that there is a high voltage (“HV”) cable on Charles Street which any forthcoming development will need to avoid.

"In order to avoid the existing HV cable and achieve the required easement without diverting the cable, the building position of Phase 1 has been moved by 1.75 metres to the north."

The council, which has received £40m of Town Deal funding towards the project, is currently negotiating to buy up the 67 properties in the area which are required. A compulsory purchase order is set to be used if all the properties required cannot be bought through negotiation.