Agenda item

To consider the referral to Council by the Tourism, Economy and Communities Scrutiny Committee of the Executive Decision EX29/2020 ‘Proposed appropriation and disposal of open space land at Stanley Park Golf Course, Blackpool’.

Members considered the referral from the Tourism, Economy and Communities Scrutiny Committee in respect of the Executive Decision EX29/2020 ‘Proposed appropriation and open space land at Stanley Park Golf Course, Blackpool’. 

Motion 1:  Councillor T Williams proposed (and Councillor Clapham seconded):

‘That the Council refers the item back to the Executive, that it listens to the people of Blackpool and overrides the decision to develop the site in order for the Council to protect and maintain this land for future generations in perpetuity’.

In moving his motion, Councillor T Williams referred to the number of representations that had been received that objected to the development on the site and his reasons for call-in of the item including that he had considered that there had been a lack of consultation on the proposed development and that it should be reserved for open green space. 

A range of views were expressed on the motion.  A number of members supported the proposal to refer the decision back for review, citing that unlike other developments, the land was not historically a campsite and should be protected as an opportunity to develop the site for all users as the proposed development was aimed at tourists rather than the town’s residents.  It was also stated that the current use provided aesthetic green space for the town and the proposed development was not in line with the objectives in the Council’s Green and Blue Strategy or the Council’s climate change declaration to protect the environment.  Concerns were expressed that it would be difficult to change any concept once a planning application had been submitted, that many developers gained planning consent on appeal and that not all members had been involved in considering alternative proposals.

A number of members spoke against the notice of motion, stating that accessibility of the site to residents was currently limited and as such the land was underused by a limited number of people who were golf club members.  It was stated that golf courses were not natural environments and therefore did not support indigenous wildlife, were ineffective at carbon capture and that the developer had planned to plant more trees and commission an environmental survey.  In terms of the Executive decision, it was expressed that it had been necessary to determine appropriation whatever the future outcome on use, that the recent petition included people who were unlikely to use the land, that a diligent tender and decision-making process had been followed and that the planning process would determine the appropriate use of land.  Members also stated that the development would create potential local jobs and opportunities for suppliers in the area.

Prior to voting, five members of the Council requested that the vote on the motion should be recorded.  The voting was as follows:

For the motion:  Councillors Mrs Callow, Callow, Clapham, G Coleman, Cox, Galley, Roberts, Mrs Scott, R Scott, Walsh, T Williams, Wilshaw, Wing - total 13.

Against the motion:  Councillors Benson, Blackburn, Brookes, Burdess, Cain, Campbell, Collett, Critchley, Hobson, Hunter, Hutton, Kirkland, Matthews, Mitchell, Smith, Taylor, L Williams – total 17.

Abstentions:  None

Motion lost:  The motion was therefore lost.

Motion 2:  Councillor L Williams proposed (and Councillor Taylor seconded):

‘That no further action be taken’.

In moving the motion, Councillor L Williams referred to the reasons given by the scrutiny committee for referral and explained the tender process that had been followed and went on to highlight the best value advantages and stated that the Executive had balanced the benefits and disadvantages in making the decision with appropriate weight attributed to the points presented.

For the motion:  Councillors Benson, Blackburn, Brookes, Burdess, Cain, Campbell, Collett, Critchley, Hobson, Hunter, Hutton, Kirkland, Matthews, Mitchell, Smith, Taylor, L Williams – total 17.

Against the motion:  Councillors Mrs Callow, Callow, Clapham, G Coleman, Cox, Galley, Roberts, Mrs Scott, R Scott, Walsh, T Williams, Wilshaw, Wing - total 13.

Abstentions:  None

Motion won:  The motion was therefore carried.