Blackpool shopfront revamp plan refused after unauthorised work

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 06:08 · Archive

A proposal to revamp a Church Street property in Blackpool's town centre and add holiday flats has been refused after work was carried out contrary to planning permission.

Plans to revamp a commercial property in Blackpool town centre and use the upper floors for holiday accommodation have encountered difficulties with planners. A planning application for external alterations to 123 Church Street, which houses pawn business Cash is King at ground level, was granted permission this year. The scheme included installation of a new ground floor shopfront, replacement windows across all floors, and conversion of upper floors into three self-contained serviced holiday flats.

However, when the applicant submitted an application to vary planning conditions on the approved scheme, planners found that work had been carried out not in accordance with the original permission. The new shopfront was installed contrary to the approved design. Planning documents state the applicant had spent thousands of pounds on work at the site.

The original Heritage Statement, prepared for the property within the Blackpool Town Centre Conservation Area, outlined plans to unify the shopfront with surrounding buildings, replace timber windows and doors with hardwood frames, and reinstate the Art Deco sunburst motif evident throughout the property. The variation application has now been refused. Planners stated the proposed scheme would be detrimental to the character and appearance of the host building and surrounding context, with the possibility of enforcement action on the work carried out.

How it is being reported

• Update on plans for new shopfront and holiday apartments in Blackpool'The proposed scheme would materially diminish the quality of development already approved'LancsLive · 14 Nov, 05:30
• Update on plans for new shop front and holiday apartments at Cash is King property in Blackpool“The proposed development is considered to be detrimental to the character and appearance of the host building and surrounding context.”Blackpool Gazette · 13 Nov, 14:26

In this story: Blackpool Council · Cash is King · Church Street · Blackpool Town Centre Conservation Area

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