Plans for flats next to Blackpool town centre bar thrown out for second time

An application had sought permission to use the empty building on Queen Street for 25 one and two-bedroom apartments over three floors.

The scheme was previously rejected by the council in November 2020, but the resubmission argued amendments to permitted development rights meant it should now be approved.

The original application attracted 30 objections, while 22 objections were raised this time around.

Town hall planners, using their delegated powers, ruled the scheme did not comply with permitted development rights and prior approval was required.

However this would be refused on the grounds that bedrooms in six of the proposed flats would not benefit from adequate natural light.

The former job centre adjoins a late night bar on Abingdon Street, whose owner had raised concerns about the proximity of the proposed flats to his premises.

Galleon Bar owner Stephen Pierre warned his business could be put at risk if residents of the flats subsequently complained about noise from the nightspot which has a 4am licence.

The applicant had said they would take appropriate measures to protect residents from noise disruption.

Other concerns raised by objectors included claims the development was ‘low quality’ and as such would “attract problematic tenants to the detriment of the

town centre economy”, according to planning documents.

But when the plans were originally submitted to the council in 2020, the applicant said it proposed to “provide a more efficient use of this previously developed site, without compromising spacious and attractive living accommodation within a safe environment.”

A notice setting out the reasons for the planning decision says: "The site is located within the town centre and in close proximity to the defined leisure zone where late-night uses are focused.

"As such there is potential for significantly higher levels of noise than would be expected in typical residential areas and so prior approval would be required on this point. "

The Queen Street Job Centre closed in 2018 when staff moved into new offices at the Town Hall.