New Blackpool football pitches could be built on housing land near stadium

Part of a stalled housing development could be earmarked for football pitches to enable a planned sports village in Blackpool’s Revoe neighbourhood to go ahead.
By Shelagh Parkinson
Published 24th Feb 2021, 10:30 BST
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The vision would see sports facilities built on Central Drive, opposite Revoe Park, on land currently designated for a future phase of the £50m Foxhall Village.

The flagship residential development in walking distance of Blackpool Football Club’s Bloomfield Road stadium includes roads named after the Seasiders’ famous 1953 FA Cup winning team.

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But building work stopped in 2019 when developer Hollinwood Homes went into administration.

A plan showing potential development at Blackpool FC and off Central DriveA plan showing potential development at Blackpool FC and off Central Drive
A plan showing potential development at Blackpool FC and off Central Drive

Proposals, which also include a new East Stand at Blackpool Football Club, are at an early stage but council chiefs must deliver a business plan by November in order to secure the £5.5m allocated to the Revoe sports village and southern quarter from Blackpool’s £39.5m Town Deal.

Nick Gerrard, growth and prosperity programme director at Blackpool Council, said it was hoped the sports village would kickstart the wider masterplan for Revoe.

He added: “The idea is a sports village facility including playing pitches and with the football club looking at its proposals for a new East Stand.”

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The Revoe Sports Village is not expected to include a training ground for the football club.

Football pitches shown on land currently allocated to the Foxhall Village housing schemeFootball pitches shown on land currently allocated to the Foxhall Village housing scheme
Football pitches shown on land currently allocated to the Foxhall Village housing scheme

As well as the Town Deal funding, potential funding sources would include Blackpool Football Club and the BFC Community Trust.

Work at Foxhall Village stopped in October 2019 when contractor Hollinwood Homes went into administration with just 193 of the planned 410 homes built.

The council is expected to take over control of the site, which it assembled with the help of a £2.7m government grant.

Related topics:BlackpoolProposals