Blackpool Pier Company has appealed Blackpool Council’s “disingenuous” decision to twice refuse planning permission for two new rides on the headland at South Pier, with the dispute to go before a public inquiry at the Town Hall next month.
Blackpool Pier Company has lodged an appeal against Blackpool Council’s decision to twice refuse permission for rides at South Pier, branding the response “disingenuous” when compared with the authority’s willingness to approve its own attraction plans.
Proposals for the Log Flume and a Starflyer were first rejected in September, before a Certificate of Proposed Lawfulness was dismissed in December, prompting the company to appeal directly to the Planning Inspectorate for a public inquiry.
“The Council in the officer’s report contends that there is a material difference between the applications where they granted themselves permission and this appeal application,” said the pier company. “The officer’s report contends that the granting of permission was for a use of land and operational development.”
“However, the facts of the case in the form of the application form, the officer’s report and most importantly of all, the decision notice, do not support the Council’s position.”
The appeal relates directly to the council’s response to “similar” proposals for its annual Christmas by the Sea attraction, located close to North Pier.
And BPC have pushed hard at the conflicting stances of the council. “To have submitted, assessed and approved an application for a ‘use of land’ for themselves as a Council in the wider context, it is somewhat disingenuous now for the Council to argue that the proposal now before the Inspector is not a use of land but operational development.”
The public inquiry will take place on 7 July at Blackpool Town Hall, with a spokesperson for the council stating the authority will take the opportunity to “explain how an application for one form of development on one site will axiomatically be considered differently to an application for a different form of development on a different site.”
We bet they will; but it doesn’t necessarily make it right. Nor pass the smell test.
One for us and none for you
Blackpool Pier Company said… “To have submitted, assessed and approved an application for a ‘use of land’ for themselves as a Council in the wider context, it is somewhat disingenuous now for the Council to argue that the proposal now before the Inspector is not a use of land but operational development….
Originally published on Coinslot on June 15, 2026. Republished with permission.