Hundreds of families living in one of England’s poorest neighbourhoods are facing eviction under a £90m regeneration scheme in Blackpool that critics warn could lead to the mass displacement of vulnerable residents. Around 400 homes in the Rydal Avenue area of central Blackpool are due to be demolished this summer and replaced with 230 new properties under a levelling up project approved under the previous Conservative government.
The area is home to more than 800 residents, including about 250 children, with official documents showing many fall within the poorest 10% of the population in England. Community leaders and residents say the plan risks worsening homelessness and deepening inequality in a town already struggling with a severe housing shortage.
Community Anger Over Demolitions
Local faith leaders and campaigners say families are distressed and uncertain about their future. The Reverend Matthew Lockwood of Beacon Church said residents were “bewildered, angry and distraught”, warning that the scheme amounted to a “mass dispersion” of some of the most vulnerable people in the country.
Labour MP for Blackpool South Chris Webb is understood to have raised concerns after an emotional public meeting last month, where residents voiced fears about eviction, rising rents and the lack of alternative housing options.
Council Defends Regeneration Project
Blackpool Council says the scheme is essential to regenerate a deeply deprived area and improve housing standards. Council leader Lynn Williams said the authority could not ignore unsafe and substandard homes, arguing that regeneration was necessary to improve long-term outcomes.
The council received £90m in funding in March last year through the Homes England levelling up programme, signed off by then housing secretary Michael Gove. Officials say inspections found widespread problems, including overcrowding and serious safety hazards, with two-thirds of homes assessed carrying category one risks to health or life.
Concerns Over Loss of Affordable Housing
Residents and housing advocates argue that demolishing 400 homes and replacing them with fewer properties will worsen Blackpool’s housing crisis. Only around 10% of homes in the town are social housing, far below the national average of 17%, while nearly 12,000 households are currently on the social housing waiting list.
The council has not confirmed how many of the new homes will be social or affordable, though it says similar regeneration schemes have previously reduced poverty levels.
Vulnerable Residents at Risk
An official impact assessment shows the regeneration zone includes around 80 residents aged over 65, a quarter who are disabled, and dozens of very young children. Campaigners say eviction notices and uncertainty are worsening mental health problems among residents already under strain.
The controversy follows a coroner’s ruling last October that Blackpool Council’s compulsory purchase of a home under a separate regeneration scheme contributed to the suicide of a 34-year-old resident. The coroner said the council’s actions played a more than minimal role in his death, intensifying scrutiny of regeneration practices.
Residents Vow to Resist Evictions
Some residents have vowed to fight eviction. Paul Kimberlin, 64, who bought his home in 2018, said the property became central to his life after his partner died from cancer last year. He rejected the council’s offer of £96,000 plus compensation, saying it would not allow him to secure suitable alternative housing.
Others have reluctantly agreed to leave after being offered supported accommodation, despite saying their homes are structurally sound and free from damp or cold.
Families renting privately also fear they will be priced out of the area entirely, with rents for available homes often double what they currently pay.
Wider Housing Crisis Highlighted
The Blackpool scheme has reignited national debate about regeneration, affordable housing and the balance between improving living standards and protecting existing communities. Housing charities say similar projects across England risk displacing low-income families unless replacement housing is genuinely affordable and available locally.
