Urban Splash faces Morecambe rejection

URBAN Splash’s ambitious plans to revamp Morecambe’s Central Promenade are expected to be kicked out by councillors today.

The Manchester developer, which renovated the town’s landmark Midland Hotel, has spent several years working on plans for the 7.5 hectare site.

It wanted to put up seven new buildings containing a visitor attraction, more than 600 apartments, 20 beach houses and 120,000 sq ft of retail and commercial space. The plans also included 240,000 sq ft of new public spaces.

But there were 250 objections to the proposals and Lancaster City Council’s planning officers concluded that the scheme was “excessive”.

Their report states: “The proposed buildings would be excessive in scale and depth, and as such they would have a dominating and overbearing impact upon the openness of the site, the character and appearance of the Morecambe Conservation Area and the setting of the two nearby listed buildings (The Midland Hotel and The Winter Gardens).”

They are recommending that councillors refuse the application when it is considered today.

However, the report commends Urban Splash’s “skill and expertise” in revitalising the Midland Hotel and concludes that it has, “much to offer Morecambe”.

The company was aware of the council’s concerns about the scheme and has been working on new proposals that should be submitted in late spring. An Urban Splash spokesman could not be reached for comment.