
18th March 2008
Almost £2.4 Million has been secured from the Housing Corporation to create new
housing schemes on the town’s council estates.
Grange Park and Mereside will see new homes built to meet the housing needs of Blackpool
residents.
On Tarnbrook Drive, Grange Park a £1.8 Million investment will see 26 new homes
built to replace retail units and bed sits.
Muir Group Housing Association already has outline planning permission for the ambitious
plans and will work with Blackpool Council and Blackpool Coastal Housing to continue
the regeneration of Grange Park.
Cllr Lily Henderson, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing, said: “The
Council has been developing this plan for sometime with the people of Grange Park
and Blackpool Coastal Housing. I’m sure the homes which will be built by Muir Group
Housing Association will be a tremendous asset.”
David Robinson, Development Director of Muir Group, said: “Muir Group is proud to
be part of this regeneration scheme. We have worked closely with residents and councillors
in the Blackpool area over several years, and we know that together that we can
make a real difference to the local community.
“We are delighted that this partnership has succeeded in securing £1.8M of public
money to provide 26 new homes on Tarnbrook. This scheme will cost in excess of £3.2M
and we see this as a clear measure of success of the partnership."
News of the second scheme will no doubt delight Mereside residents. The fire damaged
former SureStart building on Bowness Avenue is set to be replaced by eight new family
homes.
“We have the means to build new family homes to replace an eyesore, what a great
achievement” said Cllr Henderson.
Manchester Methodist Housing Association, Blackpool Council and Blackpool Coastal
Housing will deliver the new £440,000 scheme with a proposed start date of January
2009.
The final of three projects the funding will pay for is on Louise Street and Erdington
Road
There are five properties currently owned by Blackpool Council and managed by Blackpool
Coastal Housing which will be sold to Muir Group Housing Association as part of
a major refurbishment project.
Muir Group Housing will carry out major investment and improvement works to bring
the properties up to a high standard. The properties will then be offered for sale
through a Shared Ownership scheme giving Blackpool people who want to purchase their
own home, but cannot purchase outright, an opportunity to get a stake in their home.
The scheme will allow people to buy a share of the property and pay a rent on the
remaining share and gradually further shares can be purchased until eventually the
individual owns their home outright. The homes will benefit from £135,000 investment.
Doreen Wightman, Chair of the board of Blackpool Coastal Housing said of all the
funding: "I am really pleased to hear this news. Blackpool Coastal Housing has been
working closely with both the tenants and the Council, Muir Group and Great Places
Housing Groups to develop the schemes, which will contribute significantly to regeneration
of Grange Park, Mereside and Louise Street."