Six-storey office block approved after promises of 1,000 jobs to Blackpool

A proposed £45m new office block which would rise to six storeys in height has got the go-ahead from Blackpool Council’s Planning Committee.

Councillors, who backed the scheme unanimously, said the investment would be of huge benefit to the town centre economy after hearing it would bring around 1,000 jobs to the area.

They also supported the design of the six-storey building, saying it would fit in with other developments in the Talbot Gateway including the Holiday Inn and the £100m Civil Service hub already nearing completion in Cookson Street.

The committee had been recommended to approve the application to redevelop land on Talbot Road, which was previously occupied by an Apollo electrical store which was demolished in 2014.

The meeting heard some concerns had been raised as there is no parking included but Susan Parker, head of development management at the council, said the site was close to public transport which workers would be encouraged to use.

There are also proposals to build a multi-storey car park with around 600 spaces on the site of the former Syndicate nightclub in Church Street.

Coun Dave Flanagan, who chaired the meeting, said: “It’s clearly a beneficial development and I’m excited to see the number of people who will be working there.

“While it’s always a balancing act with parking, there clearly needs to be a culture change in Blackpool about how people arrive at work and move about during the day as happens in other towns and city centres.”

Coun Jo Farrell said the design “complements the Holiday Inn and other buildings there” while Coun Jason Roberts added: “It fits in well and is timely in terms of what we are trying to achieve in the town centre.”

The scheme was first unveiled in May this year, and although the identity of the tenant has not been disclosed, application documents revealed the scheme would bring “high skilled jobs on behalf of the proposed Government body”.

It represents the fifth phase of the £350m Talbot Gateway development, led by the council and its development partner Muse.

The committee voted to support the recommendation and delegate final approval to the head of development management subject to conditions being met.

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