The Action Plan could:

* Lever almost £2 billion in private sector investment between now and 2017
* Create about 11,000 additional jobs
* Provide 2,000 new homes 

The Task Force was formed in March 2007 following a request from Government to look into the long term regeneration plans for Blackpool. The group has been led by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and involved Blackpool Council, Government Office for the North West, the urban regeneration company ReBlackpool and the national regeneration agency English Partnerships and their report suggests a number of key recommendations for action.

Bryan Gray, Chair of the Blackpool Task Force and the NWDA,said: “Our commitment to the ongoing regeneration of Blackpool is a significant priority. This Action Plan sets out how initiatives and programmes could be developed in the medium to longer-term to attract investment and to ensure that the economy in Blackpool is stabilised and can grow in a sustainable manner.

Many of the actions require Government support and commitment but do not require funding. These include support for Blackpool’s bid for World Heritage Site Status, the designation of Blackpool as an exemplar sustainable tourist resort, awarding of full Assisted Area or special enterprise zone status for Blackpool and support for a Fylde Coast-wide Multi Area Agreement (MAA), which will provide the foundation for a long term growth strategy.

In other areas, funding propositions are already with Government and its agencies but decisions for Blackpool are urgently required. These begin with the investment into the Tramway renewal, which has been endorsed by the region and is awaiting Ministerial approval. They also include the social housing investment and confirmation of Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) funding for future years. Support for the Seafront improvements and the People’s Playground proposal to provide a visitor attraction for the seafront, which is currently awaiting a decision from the Big Lottery Fund’s Living Landmarks programme, have been sought.

Key new projects proposed include:

* Strong educational provision – from pre-school to Higher Education – giving its people the skills and aspirations to succeed.
* Improvements to the housing market offering a mix of aspirational and affordable housing within attractive neighbourhoods, with access to quality local services.
* Proposals for a Conference and Leisure Quarter for which land assembly has already begun, allowing the town to seize upon opportunities in the market.
* Re-establishment of Blackpool’s status as the sub-regional centre for the Fylde Coast with development including the Houndshill Shopping Centre to strengthen the retail offer.
* Development of Blackpool as a world model of an environmentally sustainable resort potentially aligned with the Government’s Eco-towns initiative.