Bourne Leisure now looking for alternative site
Marton Mere Holliday Village(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
Controversial plans to expand part of Marton Mere Holiday Park in Blackpool have been withdrawn and alternative proposals are being looked at instead.
Blackpool Council says it has been liaising with park owners Bourne Leisure Ltd and confirms the group will now be withdrawing its planning application for an additional 20 caravans on that site by the nature reserve.
Bourne Leisure will now look at a site which isn’t in a public open space.The original plans raised concerns about the potential loss of a valuable green space.
Cllr Jane Hugo, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, said: “I’m delighted that working in collaboration with Bourne Leisure, we have mutually agreed not to proceed with plans to extend the caravan pitches at the park on the edge of Marton Mere.
“This green space has established footpaths and is a valuable space enjoyed by the people of Marton, and everybody who uses it to access the mere, walking their dogs, hiking and relaxing by enjoying nature
.”Thank you to everybody who engaged in the planning process and made their voices heard.
“I’d also like to say thank you to the holiday park owners, who recognised our concerns and were happy to work with us and are looking at other options that are less detrimental to the local area and residents.”
The council’s Reform UK group leader and one of the Marton ward councillors, Cllr Jim O’Neill, commented: “I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Cllr Hugo for her hard work and listening to the concerns of the local residents.
“I would also like to thank my Labour counterpart in the Marton ward, Cllr Shaun Brookes, as we stood in unison opposing these plans”
Concerns about the initial plans were also raised by Cllr Paul Galley, leader of Blackpool’s Conservative group, who said at the time: “This is not just about one green space – it’s about the future of all of Blackpool’s open spaces. Once this land is lost, it’s lost forever.”
Bourne Leisure was approached for a comment.
