Frontierland site not up for sale says council leader as tax controversy rumbles on

The leader of Lancaster City Council says the town's former theme park site is not up for sale as a controversy over a 'Frontierland tax' rumbles on.

Councillor Caroline Jackson was asked by fellow councillors about Morecambe Town Council's recent decision to raise £1m from Council Tax in an attempt to kickstart a community project on the vacant former fairground.

Lancaster City Council owns the land and has been asking for 'expressions of interest' from potential developers so they can decide what the site can be used for.

The former Wild West theme park has been closed since 2000 and the land on Marine Road West has been derelict and unused for years.

Speaking during the leader's report at a Lancaster City Council meeting on Wednesday, Labour councillor Phillip Black (pictured below) asked Councillor Jackson if the Frontierland site is up for sale.

Councillor Jackson, a Green councillor, replied: "Nobody's told me that it's for sale. So I have no notion of any decision having been made. That decision would have to have been made by cabinet, I think. It hasn't been made."

Councillor Andrew Gardiner, leader of the Conservatives, (pictured below) then said he was worried "people would be misled" into thinking Frontierland is going to be bought for £1m by the town council and asked her to "clarify that this was not the case".

"We have not said that it is for sale," said Councillor Jackson.

"There are expressions of interest going to go out, but this is not the same as saying 'this is for sale'. The town council does not own it. The city council, we own it."

Councillor Gardiner then said: "The people of Morecambe are being led to believe that the city council is going to sell the whole of Frontierland for £1m, hence the precept was imposed on the people of Morecambe, and also asked for the extra money to be raised from people making donations.

"I fully understand that we paid a lot of money for that land and I believe the district council are looking at all proposals from all different sectors to how that land will be developed.

"The people of Morecambe should not be misled in believing that they are going to buy the land for £1m."

Councillor Jackson (pictured below) replied: "I have given you the answer. The matter of what other people do about that, is not our business, or my business as leader. I’ve stated where we are. We own the land. We are not just selling the land. We have stated our position and that position has not changed."

Councillor Colin Hartley, from Labour, then asked the leader if Lancaster City Council has any say on what Morecambe Town Council charges for Council Tax.

"Morecambe Town Council is a separate body from us," replied Councillor Jackson.

"We have no say in what precept they choose to set."

Morecambe Town Council will be charging taxpayers in 2023/4 for a community fund with the aim of eventually acquiring the Frontierland site for the residents of the town.

The new fund has led to a 231 per cent rise in the town council's share of Council Tax - by far the biggest rise in its 14-year history.

The plan was dubbed 'the Frontierland tax' by Conservative county councillor Charlie Edwards and has divided opinion in the town.

The town council has said they want to ensure Morecambe residents have a say in the future of the land.

They have said they are not intending to try to buy the site for £1m, but rather use the fund to "mobilise the community to attract further funding".

A town council spokesperson said that most of the people who replied to a residents survey said they were willing to contribute £50-£100 to a fund that will "bring free access to more local recreation and leisure facilities, open spaces, skill-sharing, art and culture" at the former fairground.

A town council spokesperson said: "This capital will ensure the council is in the best position possible to put forward a feasible and meaningful bid to develop a sustainable community project on the site that will play a substantial role within Morecambe as it evolves over time, empowering residents to participate in community activities, whilst providing attractions that will drive tourism.

"Whilst Lancaster City Council has not yet announced what the next stage of the process will be, there is usually only a relatively small window of opportunity in which interested parties may respond to a call for bids. The town council is afforded only one chance each year to set its budget and has made every effort to ensure it has an adequate reserve to realise the ambitions of the community."

The town council has also put out a statement this week, saying they believe the city council's aspirations for the site now match their own.

"Following the announcement of Eden and a strong local voice for a community-led scheme, Lancaster City Council has opened a second window of opportunity for organisations to submit proposals, changing its initial investment outline to acknowledge that 'there is emerging interest in the provision of a community hub that may include both indoor and outdoor facilities as well as attractions that could drive tourism'," said a town council spokesperson.

"After several months of planning and campaigning, Morecambe Town Council has applauded Lancaster City Council for now inviting expressions of interest for plans that put the community first - something that the town council has been working tirelessly to achieve.

"The council is looking forward to working alongside Lancaster City Council and is encouraged by the support shown to date.

"The council also hopes to receive the support of Lancashire County Council, Cat Smith MP, and David Morris MP to achieve its vision, which has been locally coined as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build community wealth and social capital."

Morecambe town councillors are pictured below at the Frontierland site.

Councillor Cary Matthews of the Bay Independent Group, chairman of Morecambe Town Council and also a Lancaster city councillor, said: "The strength and resilience of our neighbourhoods should not be underestimated and Morecambe Town Council is committed to firmly returning power to the hands of people, so residents have a voice in their future and feel empowered to do things their way.

"I can’t thank the members and officers of Lancaster City Council enough for listening to our community.”

Councillor Paul Anderton of the Bay Independent Group, vice chairman of Morecambe Town Council and also a Lancaster city councillor, said: "This is very exciting news for everybody in Morecambe. There are a lot of local people with a lot of great ideas and we can use these to create something we can all benefit from and be proud of. Morecambe deserves this and we can deliver it by working together.”

Councillor Bill Jackson, a Liberal Democrat member of the town council, said: "For the past 24 years this empty site has, in effect, cut the town in two, with the West End of Morecambe suffering a severe lack of investment as a result.

"Turning this site into a community space with entertainment and leisure uses would finally enable the West End to regain its former glory. It is very positive for Morecambe that Lancaster City Council is now considering ways to develop the Frontierland site that will be more focused on the interests of the community, and we are very proud to be part of a Morecambe Town Council that has been pivotal in bringing this change about. Whatever is decided now will be with us for generations to come, and we are looking forward very much to seeing the plans develop alongside the Eden Project.”

On March 10, Lancaster City Council officially asked once again for "expressions of interest" for redeveloping the Frontierland site.

"The previous EOI received good interest," they said.

"However, most responses were housing led with an ancillary hotel and leisure component. With Eden now confirmed, the council is keen to understand the potential for a greater focus on leisure."

Interested parties have until June 10 to come forward.

Read all the background to this story here

Morecambe councillor calls for U-turn on controversial 'Frontierland tax' - Beyond Radio

Morecambe Town Council to raise £1m from taxpayers in attempt to acquire Frontierland - Beyond Radio

£100k for festivals and highest ever staffing costs in Morecambe Town Council budget - Beyond Radio