Blackpool Enterprise Zone given green light

James Wharton MP, minister for local growth and the Northern Powerhouse, has announced that Blackpool Airport has been given official Enterprise Zone (EZ) status.

The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) first submitted a bid for the EZ to government in January this year, and its plans were publicly backed by Chancellor George Osborne in the March budget.

The proposals further highlighted the opportunities the site offered for other key economic sectors, including food and drink and professional services, and included options to accommodate the return of regular commercial flights to the site in the future.

Chair of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, Edwin Booth, said: “We were given strong indications earlier this year that the Blackpool Airport site would become Lancashire’s second Enterprise Zone so it’s great we’ve been finally given the official green light to proceed.

“The LEP is looking forward to working closely with its partners to maximise the wide range of opportunities this new EZ will offer Blackpool, and also ensure it aligns fully with the LEP’s wider economic and regeneration strategy for the county.”

“Following Balfour Beatty’s design proposal for the site, and the creation of a new passenger terminal, we will submit plans for the Lancashire LEP supported Energy HQ on the newly created EZ. The co-location of this innovative training facility will help to encourage inward investment.”

The Warton site of the Lancashire Enterprise Zone, which is home to BAE Systems, currently employs more than 6,000 people. The LEP anticipates that, together with Samlesbury, the first Lancashire EZ could generate between 4,000 and 6,000 new jobs by 2030.