Blackpool Council moves forward with plans for first data centre as part of Silicon Sands

Blackpool Council is taking the next major step in delivering a first data centre as part of plans for Silicon Sands, a flagship digital infrastructure project at the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone.

A report to the council’s executive recommends the next step on the project, which has the potential to support thousands of high-value jobs across the region both directly and indirectly, through investment in Artificial Intelligence (AI) data infrastructure, renewable energy and innovation led growth.

Planning permission for a 6MW carbon friendly data centre and 20,000sqft office and research space is set to be submitted before Christmas, following significant interest from private sector investors.

The Silicon Sands plan builds on the arrival of the transatlantic Aquacomms cable and aims to position the Fylde Coast as a leading location for sustainable data centres and digital innovation.

Unlike other data centre projects around the world, Silicon Sands aims to tackle the climate crisis at the same time.

Data centres would be powered by renewable energy, use liquid immersion cooling to improve efficiency and re-use heat to act as an energy source for other properties.

Councillor Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for economy and built environment, said: “Silicon Sands is a transformational opportunity for Blackpool.

"It can create thousands of well-paid jobs, attract investment, and put us at the forefront of sustainable digital development.

“That vision is proven by the significant interest we have had from the private sector already.

“Silicon Sands is about so much more than just data centres though. We are carefully managing the programme so that we can create data centres which are carbon friendly, and can even supply waste heat back to local communities.”

The first data centre would be at the site of the old fire station and engineering yard at Blackpool Airport, which was demolished in 2023, as well as on the site of the airport’s old administration offices and security point.

A new administration and security point for the airport opened earlier this year.

The council has secured £2m in funding from the Lancashire Devolution deal, while Silicon Sands is also one of Lancashire Combined County Authorities strategic sites in its latest Growth Plan.

The council has also submitted a bid for AI Growth Zone status, which remains under consideration by the government.

Lancashire Business View reported in April that Blackpool’s Silicon Sands data centre campus have been pitched to investors at a global property conference.

Along with the Blackpool Central leisure investment site, the two major investment opportunities were highlighted by a delegation from the town at MIPIM, the world’s most influential property event, which takes place annually in Cannes on the French Riviera.

Blackpool Council leader Lynn Williams led a small delegation to MIPIM – looking to sell the town’s investment story alongside other major town and cities from across the UK and rest of the world.

For more information about Silicon Sands, visit www.siliconsands.co.uk