Historic Marton Moss to be restored for community use

In a bid to protect the area, restrictions on house building have been put in place, with 21 lots allocated for the construction of between 71 - 81 properties.

A historic farmhouse could be restored in plans approved by the council to protect Blackpool's Marton Moss from over-development.

The plan must first go to a referendum of residents living in the area, with October 5th being the date set for the vote, for the neighbourhood plan to be formally adopted over half of the respondents must agree, giving the council the ability to help shape future developments in the semi-rural area.

Some elements of the plan restrict the house building numbers to a limit of 71 and 81 properties, on a set of 21 allocated plots in order to prevent housing development on a large scale. plans to partially restore Midgeland Farm, a locally listed building that stands on the former landfill site, just off Midgeland Road for use by the community.

The farm was taken into ownership by the local authority in 1968, Marton Moss Neighbourhood Forum has agreed that the council's "measures to retain, as far as reasonably practicable, the structure of the farmhouse, stable, barn and early shippons (cow barns), will be supported."

Independent examiner Andre Mead, who scrutinised the neighbourhood plan, suggested six amendments which have been agreed to by the council. These plans include providing more flexible guidance to the housing developers and an upper limit on housing numbers permitted on each site.

Mr Mead said in his report that this was "to help guard against inappropriate and excessive development within whole plots, and would assist in protecting the distinctive character of Marton Moss." the work of the Marton Moss Neighbourhood Forum in producing the plan was also praised by Mr Mead, which he concluded "should enable the attractive character and appearance of Marton Moss to be maintained whilst enabling sustainable development to proceed."

A blueprint by community volenteers has been worked on for the area after the MMN Forum was set up in response to fears Blackpool's Semi-Rural hinterland was in danger of becoming over-developed back in 2019, with main discussions being around housing allocation and issues includoing the maintaining of footpaths and bridleways, and the preservation of green spaces also being considered 

The plan has been in the works for three years and has seen support from consultants and the council, with the costs incured by the council to support the process (around £20,000) able to be clamed back from the government.