Plans to expand a Blackpool holiday park onto a valued public green space have been formally withdrawn following significant local opposition. The owner, Bourne Leisure Ltd, has pulled its application to add 20 new caravan pitches at Marton Mere Holiday Village, situated next to a nature reserve.
Council Collaboration Leads to Withdrawal
Blackpool Council confirmed it had been in discussions with the holiday park giant, resulting in a mutual agreement to withdraw the contentious proposal. The council stated that Bourne Leisure will now look at a different site for any expansion, one that is not within a public open space. The original plans, submitted for land on the edge of Marton Mere, sparked fears over the permanent loss of community green space used for walking, dog exercise, and access to the mere itself.
Political and Community Unity Against the Plans
The decision has been welcomed by councillors across the political spectrum. Councillor Jane Hugo, the council's Cabinet Member for Climate Change, expressed her delight at the outcome. "This green space has established footpaths and is a valuable space enjoyed by the people of Marton, and everybody who uses it," she said. Hugo thanked Bourne Leisure for recognising the council's concerns and working collaboratively to find a less detrimental option.
The opposition was notably cross-party. Councillor Jim O'Neill, leader of the council's Reform UK group and a Marton ward councillor, publicly thanked Cllr Hugo for her hard work. He also acknowledged his Labour counterpart in the ward, Councillor Shaun Brookes, for standing "in unison" against the plans. Concerns were also raised earlier by Conservative group leader Councillor Paul Galley, who warned, "Once this land is lost, it's lost forever."
Future Focus on Alternative Sites
The withdrawal marks a significant victory for local campaigners and residents who engaged with the planning process. The focus now shifts to Bourne Leisure identifying an alternative location for any potential expansion, away from the protected green belt. The company was approached for a comment on its future plans.
This case underscores the growing tension in coastal resorts between commercial development and the preservation of scarce, cherished natural environments for community wellbeing.
