Blackpool has received a welcome boost – following the disappointment over the supercasino decision – as a design has been chosen for the revamp of the town’s seafront.

ReBlackpool, the company responsible for the regeneration of the Lancashire seaside resort, has chosen LDA to design the £21m ‘People’s Playground’ promenade.

The project aims to provide a year-round urban park for fun, exercise and provide an opportunity for people to learn about Blackpool’s social heritage and natural environment.

Doug Garrett, chief executive of ReBlackpool, said: “The redevelopment of Blackpool’s 2.3 kilometre central promenade is certainly going to put the town back on the map. Our aim is to ensure that Blackpool becomes renowned as a 21st century world-class tourism destination and this project is the first big step in making this happen.”

According to Robert Aspland, associate director of LDA Design, the design – which was chosen following an international design competition – was inspired by “the otherworldliness of Gulliver’s travels and the strange landscapes of Japanese animated film”.

ReBlackpool will now work with LDA Design, construction consultancy Gardiner & Theobold and lighting artist Chris Levine to finalise its submission to the Big Lottery’s Living Landmarks Programme. Details: www.lda-design.co.uk