Blackpool Council seeks partners to develop Enterprise Zone

Blackpool Council is looking for private sector partners to develop a 144 hectare site at the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone.

The land is earmarked for an industrial-led, mixed use employment site incorporating the airport, and has been divided up by its intended uses.

The development's key areas are a knowledge and business quarter, an airport zone, a business hub, an innovation gateway, an industrial 'heart', a third space for mixed commercial use, and a sports village.

Cllr Mark Smith, cabinet member for regeneration, enterprise and economic development, said: “We have no fixed view as to the best partnership approach to adopt and have the scope to work alongside several delivery partners, therefore we wish to consider and explore a number of high level proposals.

"These may cover either the entire Enterprise Zone, the operational airport or a  combination of the main Enterprise Zone elements such as The Airport Business Park and The Common Edge Enhanced Capital Allowance area.”

The Enterprise Zone is part of a wider £1bn regeneration programme for Blackpool and is already playing a critical part in attracting the inward investment needed for Blackpool’s future development with a focus on broadening and improving the commercial property offer available on the Fylde Coast.

A masterplan for the phased development of the Enterprise Zone was prepared earlier this year and phase one is now underway, including the provision of a new eastern gateway access and the creation of a new sports village.

Blackpool Council recently allocated £28.8m to support the initial enabling infrastructure which will open up a range of development and investment opportunities over the next three years and support the ambition of the Enterprise Zone to host up to 5,000 new jobs, 140 new businesses and attract £300m of private sector investment over its 25 year lifespan.

Potential partners are invited to register their interest in the site before November 30, which will eventually lead to the appointment of one or more preferred developers. The informal tender for expressions of interest is on The Chest North West Portal.