Blackpool's Revoe Community Sports Village Takes Major Step Forward
A multi-million pound community sports village project in Blackpool has progressed significantly as new details emerge following the submission of a planning application. The Revoe Community Sports Village scheme, largely financed by a substantial £6.5 million allocation from the UK Government's Town Deal initiative, was formally presented to Blackpool Council last week. The council is collaborating closely with Blackpool Football Club and the Blackpool FC Community Trust to bring this ambitious development to fruition.
Comprehensive Sports Facilities and Infrastructure
The proposed development includes an impressive array of sporting amenities designed to serve the local community. Key features comprise two full-size 7-a-side synthetic 3G football pitches, which can be reconfigured into four 5-a-side pitches to meet Football Association standards. Additionally, the plans incorporate two dedicated padel courts and a versatile Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), all complemented by professional floodlighting systems for evening use.
A 3G football pitch represents modern synthetic turf technology, engineered to mimic natural grass playing surfaces. These high-performance pitches feature elongated fibers measuring between 40mm and 60mm, infilled with specialized sand and rubber crumb materials. This construction ensures durable, all-weather playing conditions suitable for both training sessions and competitive matches throughout the year.
The comprehensive scheme also encompasses proposed enclosures and boundary treatments, extensive hard and soft landscaping elements, designated car parking areas, and the installation of two storage containers to house sports equipment. Associated infrastructure works will complete the development package.
Supporting Community Health and Wellbeing
A detailed Planning, Design and Access Statement submitted with the application emphasizes the project's community benefits. The document states clearly: "This project will support sport and community provision by creating new facilities adjacent to Blackpool Football Club's Bloomfield Road stadium." The council is partnering with Blackpool Football Club and the BFC Community Trust to implement and subsequently manage the operational aspects of the development.
The statement concludes decisively: "The proposals are considered to represent appropriate development which supports the overall aims of the Local Authority in improving access to sports facilities to support the health and wellbeing of the local community. For these reasons, it is considered that full planning permission for the proposed development should be granted."
Operational Details and Community Access
All playing surfaces will feature associated floodlighting installations, while the on-site storage containers will facilitate equipment storage. The facilities are proposed to operate daily between 9am and 9pm, aligning with the opening hours of other 3G pitch facilities across Blackpool. Importantly, pitch usage will be suspended during Blackpool FC first team home matches to mitigate potential traffic impacts in the surrounding area.
Once operational, the Blackpool FC Community Trust will manage facility utilization. This management will include dedicated provisions for educational programs and diverse sports initiatives. The Blackpool Football Club Ladies and Girls grassroots teams are expected to utilize the facilities regularly, alongside the FA Girl's Emerging Talent Centre, which serves as the Fylde Coast's premier center of excellence for developing female football talent.
Bookable time slots will be made available to local schools and junior grassroots football clubs, enabling them to access and hire the facilities. The Community Trust will actively explore opportunities to develop competitive events, including organized matches and tournaments to engage the broader community.
Council Perspective and Broader Regeneration
Councillor Mark Smith, Blackpool Council's Cabinet Member for Built Environment and Economy, highlighted how this project aligns with the council's comprehensive regeneration strategy for the Central Drive area, which focuses on delivering quality housing and enhanced green spaces. He explained: "While our housing projects are about providing better homes for people to live in, this sports project is about improving the healthy lifestyles of people who live centrally, by creating community sports facilities for everybody to enjoy."
Cllr Smith further noted: "The project will also help the football club's community trust to increase its offer to local people, while also facilitating improvements to the East Stand to make the area around the football stadium a nicer place to visit." This integrated approach demonstrates how the sports village contributes to broader urban improvement objectives beyond athletic facilities alone.
