£5m sports facility approved for Enterprise Zone

The second phase of the proposed sports facility at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone has been approved by Blackpool Council and Fylde Borough Council.

The £5m development will feature new changing rooms, a new 3G sports pitch, a replacement grass rugby pitch training area, a new changing and spectator pavilion and reconfigured car parking to accommodate 194 cars.

Last year, the creation of 12 grass pitches was given the green light.

The facilities will sit within the 14 hectare sports development scheme which forms part of the first stage of the £28.8m investment allocated for the redevelopment of the 144-hectare enterprise zone.

The appointed contractor Conlon Construction is scheduled to commence work on July 19, with support onsite from Cassidy + Ashton.

Karen Buckley, leader of Fylde Council, said: "I'm delighted that planning permission has now been granted by both Fylde and Blackpool Councils in time to prepare to host the European Youth Football Championships next year at this new state-of-the-art sports complex.  It's a fantastic opportunity to showcase all that the Fylde Coast has to offer with an annual event that could attract up to 1,000 youth teams from across the UK and Europe."

Lawrence McBurney, director at Cassidy + Ashton, said: “We are proud to have helped design and secure planning approval for these new facilities. This has been the culmination of many months of consultation with stakeholders and statutory consultees and we look forward to helping to manage the construction stage."

A further planning application is due to be submitted by Cassidy + Ashton for the redevelopment of land north of the Common Edge Road sports facilities for new employment, residential and ancillary uses, as well as associated highways infrastructure.