Plans have been lodged with Blackpool planners to demolish an empty hotel on South Shore seafront and replace it with 15 self-contained flats. The proposals target the former Henderson Hotel at 1 Wimbourne Place, a site close to Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort.
Affordable Housing Included
According to planning documents, 33 percent of the apartments (five in total) will be designated as affordable housing if the scheme receives approval. The application seeks permission for a four-storey building comprising 15 self-contained permanent apartments after demolishing the existing structure.
The Henderson Hotel was part of a larger offering early in 2025, when three adjoining hotels—the Waldorf Hotel, the Kimberley Hotel, and the Henderson Hotel—were put on the market for £1.9 million as a potential redevelopment project. However, the current application only involves the Henderson Hotel, with no mention of the other two properties.
Previous Student Accommodation Plan Rejected
A Design and Access Statement by Future Planning and Development Ltd, submitted on behalf of unnamed applicants, reveals that initial proposals for student accommodation with around 40 rooms were advised against by Blackpool Council. The council stated that the site is specifically designated for permanent residential or holiday accommodation and is too far from the new Multiversity for convenient student access.
The council also indicated that because the existing Henderson Hotel is considered visually attractive, any replacement must justify why reuse is not possible. The statement explains: "The narrow circulation spaces, rigid structural layout, thin partitions, and outdated configuration present significant and inherent barriers to successful conversion or modernisation. Achieving a modern, building regulations compliant layout within the existing envelope would likely require extensive intervention, making comprehensive refurbishment or reuse highly impractical and economically unviable."
Vision for Redevelopment
The statement outlines the vision: "The vision for the redevelopment of 1 Wimbourne Place is to transform a dated and underused hotel site into a high quality, attractive and inclusive residential environment that makes a positive contribution to the local area. The proposal seeks to deliver much needed homes including affordable housing in a sustainable and accessible location close to the seafront and local services. It seeks to enhance the appearance and vitality of the streetscape, creating a building that sits comfortably within its setting and reflects the established character of South Shore."
The proposal aims to support Blackpool Council's regeneration objectives by providing new housing on brownfield land and contributing to local economic and social wellbeing. Overall, the development aims to create a place that residents can be proud to call home—a modern, efficient, and well-designed housing scheme that aligns with the town's wider ambitions for sustainable growth.
